What does Jesus mean when he tell us, "In my Father's House there are many dwelling places"? (In some of our translation 'dwelling places' is rendered 'mansions.')

Often we think of this passage in terms of heaven. We think that Jesus promises us a place with him in the afterlife, a place of mansions and streets lined with gold. Yet something my colleague, Steve Garnaas-Holmes, wrote on his blog, Unfolding Light, got me thinking about this differently. Perhaps Jesus wasn't talking so much about the afterlife, but life right here on earth.

Throughout his ministry Jesus was often concerned with how we live in this world and not just how we prepare for the next. Even so, we know this life is full of troubles. We face challenges, personal and global, every day. As Steve writes, "Maybe Jesus is promising that God has prepared a place for you in this world. Despite all your troubles, despite the times when you feel that you don't belong or that you're not safe, you are in the right place. God wants you here. "

It is comforting to me to think that God has prepared a place for me here. That God has made a dwelling for me here. That God is with me in this world in addition to being with me in the next. This gives me hope for the future and an assurance of God's presence as I continue to strive to do God's work in the world.

What do you think about this passage? Do you find hope in the idea that God prepares a dwelling place just for you? Does this passage give you comfort as you think about heaven? As you live day to day?