Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4-7).
Have you noticed how hard "re-entry" is?
One of my favorite movies is “Apollo 13” in which we first heard those famous words, “Houston, we have a problem,” an understatement if there ever was one. The astronauts faced seemingly impossible odds of getting back to earth, but they refused to give up the fight until they finally and safely splashed down in the waters of home.
Life is much the same. We are often thrust into a daily life of foreign and often frightening worlds, shaky circumstances, and impossible trials with no obvious way of escape. It seems like we will never get home and our world will never be right again.
I have discovered a truth that surfaces in my heart on a continual basis. We all come into this world with a sense of being lost. Tucked into the corner of our souls is a feeling of restlessness ... a longing for home, for something eternal. That longing will never be satisfied outside of a relationship with God. He holds each today and every tomorrow in His hands. Nobody and nothing can fill the “God-shaped” hole in our heart.
I have come to cherish that desperate heart cry that drives me to my knees and into the arms of my Father. Each and every time I come to Him, He whispers, "It will be all right. You are not home - yet."
I do not want this broken and torn world to be my final home, but merely a place I am passing through. While I am here, I have a God-sized job to do, an extraordinary mission to complete and a wonderful purpose to fulfill. Is that awesome or what? Absolutely! But it is only the beginning of the eternity for which I was created. And the same is true for you. It doesn't get any better than that.
So as you dive into your hectic schedule, remember that one day, we will be home - with Him - but until then, let's celebrate here! Guard your heart and mind by filling them with God’s Word. Hold fast to the true meaning of a purpose driven life, and don’t let go! Look for ways to share the Good News that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. Share the message of the manger, embracing that longing for home as a sweet reminder that one day we will celebrate His birth in Heaven. What a day that will be!
And remember - we are on our way home!
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