“Home is where your heart is.”
I’ve heard that many times in my 53 years on planet Earth and found it to be true. I also have the doubly unusual blessing of having lived in the same house for the past 24 years. It is doubly unusual because it is unusual for anyone in our increasingly mobile culture and it is particularly unusual for those in ministry. But the truth of the matter is that I could live anywhere as long Mrs. Sweetie is with me. She’s where my heart is. And that is by God’s design.
Genesis 2:24 (New International Version) says, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”
Having said that, I really love our physical home—our return address since 1991. We’ve had time to make it a comfortable fit for us. We brought up two amazing kids in this home and are looking forward to making it a place where our grandchildren will want to come and visit Grandpa and Sweetie.
I was sitting in my special rocking chair this morning. The one that I rocked those babies in so long ago. The one that I can’t wait to introduce to my granddaughter. Most importantly, the one where I enjoy coffee and Jesus every morning that I’m home. (I wrote about this chair in a previous post.)
While sitting this morning, I pondered this verse:
“Jesus replied, ‘All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.’” (John 14:23, New Living Translation)
Maybe home is where your heart is, but I want my heart to be where God feels at home. I told the Lord out loud this morning that I want Him to feel as welcomed and comfortable as I feel in my rocking chair. I never want to treat His presence as an intrusion into my agenda. I never want to treat Him like the guest that stays a few days too long. Metaphorically speaking, I want Him to put His clothes in the closet, His toothbrush in the bathroom, and have all His mail forwarded here.
That does not depend on Him. That is already His desire and He has done everything necessary for it to happen. It depends on my response. The same is true for you.
Question: What needs to happen for you to truly know that God has made Himself at home in you?
Leave a comment. I’d love to learn from your perspective.
