Scriptures: “For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (II Corinthians 5:4-5)
Last night, there was a news on TV. It was the Sayre Fire Anniversary Commemoration for the Oakridge community in Sylmar. At the end of this event, the reporter interviewed a couple of residents there. One man said, “It was good to be back.” But another woman did not share his joy. When asked, she said she was happy to be back in the community. But she cried when she stepped into her new home.
“Why?” the reporter asked. She said, though it was a wonderful new house, she did not feel it was her home. “A home should be a place with a lot of memories in there. But I don’t have any memories in this new house. It’s just a house, not my home yet.”
How true is that! A home is more than just a house. It’s a place where we receive love, rest, comfort, and encouragements; it’s a place where we turn to for warmth and healing in life; it’s a place where we receive preparation, protection, and guidance for life; and it’s a place where we grow and mature in life, physically and spiritually. And, in going through them all, God blesses us with the memories of all these wonderful functions of an earthly home as reminders of what He has in store for us in His family.
Apostle Paul, in I Timothy 3:15, said, “…if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” (I Timothy 3:15) Yes, church is God’s household and we are all members of this household. That’s why we call each other brothers and sisters and call ourselves children of God because we all belong to the same family.
The tragic story of that interviewed lady also reminded me of how our earthly estates are not dependable. Natural disasters, economic downturns, and human carelessness can sweep them away right before our eyes. When we attach our memories to these short-lived earthly possessions, their existences are as good and as long as these possessions are there. Once they are gone, we feel like floating ships that find no place for anchor. But, if we attach our memories to something permanent, better yet, something eternal, then we don’t ever have to be concerned with losing these wonderful memories. Early men and women of God had recognized this, as the author of the book of Hebrew said, “All these people … were longing for a better country-a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:13, 17)
To many of us, we think we have two homes, one earthly and one heavenly. But I wonder why we need to make such distinctions, if they both should mean the same to us. I wonder what crosses God’s mind when He hears us distinguishing our earthly home from His. Why not make the “two” homes one? What if our earthly home is also the heavenly home? What if we put in efforts to make our church as warm and loving as our earthly home? What if we build up our brothers and sisters in Christ the same way we would build up our children or siblings? What if we make sure all those in our church are prepped and guided and grow by the teachings of God? I am convinced the presence and impact of the Kingdom of God would be greatly expanded! Jesus told us that anything we store in heaven cannot be stolen, be rotten, and be taken away. Wouldn’t it make more sense to invest more in values that are eternal?
President Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” I think the same is true for church, our heavenly family. Imagine what church would be like if we all treat her like our home, instead of a meeting place; if we all seek to serve and to build, instead of to take and to demand. How much easier it will be for others to seek, to find, and to be satisfied by the love of God through His loving family in us!
Prayer Requests:
For the victims of natural disasters
Prayer:
Father God, please help us to build up our homes the way You would build up Yours. May Your joy, love, hope and peace fill our homes that all who come in may be blessed with the salvation in Lord Jesus and with the empowerment from the Holy Spirit to explore Your riches as we pray in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, Amen!
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