Home is ultimately not about a place to live but about the people with whom you are most fully alive. Home is about love, relationship, community and belonging, and we are all searching for home.
Quote from Soul Cravings written by Erwin McManus
In a day when homes are being foreclosed as quick as they were getting sold when the market was hot, many people are finding themselves homeless. We know as believers we have an eternal home in Heaven where we will be accepted and loved but what about while we’re still here?
One of the definitions of home I found on dictionary. Com, really hit me “reaching the mark aimed at” Reaching the mark aimed at. If we go back to our quote, home is the place where you feel most alive, where you feel loved accepted and have relationships, where there is community; then is it safe to say that since there are healthy and unhealthy relationships, there are healthy and unhealthy communities? I had never thought about that but this book has made me wonder about my own community. Is it what I’m aiming for? Is where I’m trying to “belong” a healthy or unhealthy place? We are all striving to belong somewhere. God is described as love and He tells us to love one another but how do you do that if you don’t feel like you belong to any one community?
“Jesus called to all who were weary and who found their soul exhausted to come to him and find rest. He is telling us that God will be for us our place called home.” Quote from Soul Cravings
We are affected good or bad by the opinion of those who are closest to us. What happens if you find out their opinion of you isn’t very good? If you don’t know who you are in Christ your whole identity will begin to shatter, you may begin to feel “homeless.” So if you’re living in a home/community where people are not thinking the best or encouraging the best in you this could be a sign that you’re in an unhealthy community. You may need to move your “home” or what your aiming at.
I think the common courtesies of life have been affected by our society. Things like not responding when someone reaches out to you. It could be an email, snail mail, phone message or even something as simple as a smile. We have become so self consumed that we have stopped caring about our community and our community is suffering. The Bible tells us in Philippians 2:1-2 is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another and working together with one mind and purpose.It sounds like Jesus is giving a blueprint for building a loving home in a desired community.
I’m not talking about Pleasantville. I know we all have our issues we are working through myself included but I’m thinking maybe God is trying to get our attention here, I know He has mine. I think He’s reminding us to take a good look at ourselves as children of the King.
Romans 15:5-7 May God who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.
There are so many hurting people out there, believers and nonbelievers. Lets try and make a healthy community where all are accepted and loved. Lets figure out how to have harmony and let the one voice be the voice of love. Home truly is where the heart is!
Gena’s Jewels
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