You’ve probably heard your share of “homey” quotes…
“Home is where the heart is.” “Home Sweet Home.” “Home is where you hang your hat.” “There’s no place like home” (Wizard of Oz, what, what!)
Ah, home. It conjures up all sorts of apple-pie-wafting, couch-snuggling, T.G.I.F sitcom watching (does anybody else remember the T.G.I.F television programming?) images of joy.
Ahhh… Homey.
There is one “home” saying that I have often pondered; one that is (obviously) very popular in the army.
“Home is where the Army sends us.”
This saying is typically painted on a sign, then below it are little placards that have the bases where folks have been stationed. I always think it’s interesting to walk around my neighborhood and imagine the adventures and challenges that come from “home” being Fort Bragg, North Carolina, then Fort Wainwright, Alaska, onto Fort Bliss Texas then Fort Campbell, Kentucky. (I don’t know anyone specifically off the top of my head that has traveled that exact pattern, but you get my drift.)
We, however, do not have one of those signs on our front door. Not because I don’t think they aren’t cool, but because I believe the army isn’t the director of where we move every 2-5 years(ish.)
Jesus is behind the army… So as far as I am concerned, home is where Jesus calls you.
This concept doesn’t just apply to military people. And really, it doesn’t matter if you have moved 10 times in the last 10 years or still live in the same house in which you were born 60 years later.
Home is where Jesus calls you. It’s as simple as that.
Sometimes I struggle with this idea… I see my friends living close(ish) to family, buying or building a home… And honestly, I kind of want that.
No more slapping a coat of paint on hospital-white walls in an attempt to make what we know is a temporary home a little more personal. No more “creative-curtain-ing” when we move into a new home and realize all the windows are a completely different size than the last place we lived. No more praying over the stain in the carpet when it’s housing-move-out inspection time.
God has done (and continues to do) some really incredible work on my heart in this regard, reminding me that HE is in control of where we live, how we get there, how long we stay.
After all, home is where Jesus calls us.
So, three big (albeit, slightly random) thoughts surrounding this topic:
1. Regardless of the place we are called to live, there is no room for envy, jealously, pride or discontent in that equation. Instead of “wishing” for a permanent place near family, we should revel in the adventure God has called us to. Or instead of yearning to get out of a small home town, we should find joy in the familiarity.
2. No matter WHERE we live, or how long we live there… It is STILL temporary. This world is not our home. Let’s enjoy it while we can, but keep in mind that life is but a vapor and there is something WAY more awesome coming our way. Which brings me to point #3…
3. We must live with an eternal perspective. I have a sneaky suspicion that when we eventually make it to our permanent heavenly home, it will blow us away, and no amount of screened in porches, built-in ice machines or bathtub jacuzzis will compare. (Just a few thoughts for my earthly dream home, FYI.)
As you read this, I am enjoying some time back with my family in my childhood home. It’s great to be back in the country with the animals and feeling of fall all around. But as awesome as ALL of my earthly homes have been so far, whether it was in Kansas, Missouri, Georgia or Washington, I know something even more incredible awaits me…
Because after all, home is where Jesus calls us… and someday, we will experience Home sweet Home like never before!
Heaven is where my heart is,
SGK
PS: Do you know where your eternal home is going to be? If not, I would love to talk with you about that. It won’t be weird or awkward or judgey, I promise… But seriously, gimme a shout via sharita.knobloch@gmail.com.
“By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations—the City designed and built by God.” ~Hebrews 11:8-10 MSG
