Something big (like relocating to a new home) can have a way of being legitimately consuming. Any major life transition requires our attention, time, resources, even money. But, as the dust has settled from our move and as the projects have {finally!} slowed down, I'm continually struck by the grace of God as He has beckoned our attention consistently to fully to rest on HIM. He is the rightful magnet of our focus. He is really the only thing BIG enough to ever deserve our undivided attention...and the rest plays out. It does.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Matthew 6:33
I remember the day we moved into this wonderful place we now call home. I remember sharing with Brodie how very much I was struck by the fact that although years of dreaming had finally come true for us to be here in this setting, I was clearly aware that this "house" cannot and should not ever be our real home. God whispered this to me on day 1. Heaven is our real home and if we truly live in light of this reality, the things of the earth fade to a fuzzy backdrop for the rightful focal point of our affection...Jesus.
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me."
Philippians 1:21-22
God, in His grace, made me fully aware in even just the first couple of days living here in this idyllic place...that HE is what we live for...that HE is the constant when all else changes...that HE is our goal and our resting place...that HE is what this life is all about both in plenty and want. And where HE is, that is where we want to be...because it's not about us. It's all about HIM. I'm not sure why, but the realization that this home was not to be our sense of "rest" took me by surprise when we first moved in. There was a definite awareness that Jesus is our rest, that heaven is to be our final rest...and I love it when the Lord surprises us with His promptings. I love it when He presses in and uses His Word and His voice of Truth to keep us on the right track. I praise Him for speaking to my heart in an area that could have otherwise become an idol. I thank Him for His grace to remind me that no matter where we are or how good or bad our circumstances may be, it's never about us. Our lives are always about living for HIM and His purposes which trump and guide our own.
"For I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.
In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:11-13
So, as we live our days here in the beauty that surrounds us, appreciating nature and all that had to take place in order for us to move to this new chapter of our life-journey, I feel exceedingly grateful for my home...and even more so, I feel overwhelmed by the gratitude I have for how loosely we hold onto this wonderful place. Thank you, Lord, for this blessed home! And yet, I don't ever want to lose sight of what matters most as long as I live and breath here. I don't ever want to lose sight of Who we live our days for while we have days left to spend. I want to offer everything we have right back to the God who supplied us with such generosity. I want to sacrifice my best for HIM. I want to do with our resources what HE would have us do. I want to be eternally minded at all times, dead set focused on that which is above and never drifting toward that which is temporal. If we are going to spend our attention, time, resources, money...(and we are)...then we are going to spend such things for the singular purpose of glorifying God and our endeavors, big and small, daily and lifelong, must stand up to that test. Jesus, please help us to see clearly and please speak to our hearts. We want to hear.
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
1 John 2:15-17
Oh Lord, may we live our lives well and for your glory alone! May we spend our time on earth wisely. May we offer up all that we are to you and for you and for those you love, those you died for. May we live fully aware in this self-saturated culture of the truth that we are never to live for ourselves or the things that are passing away. But rather, you've asked us to die to ourselves daily, take up our cross, and follow you in a way that we're willing to give it ALL at any time and in any way you should call because you've made it clear and it pleases you when we realize and live intentionally knowing that it's definitely not about us.
"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
