There's No Place Like Home

Every Sunday night for the past 10 months I have made a 2 and a half hour drive back “home.” Home…that’s a funny term we use to describe where we live, where we build a family, where we start a life, or in my mind “it’s where my stuff is.”

When I moved to Indiana I was in a weird stage in my life. My life seemed to be going in slow motion and so was I. I had a great job, I bought a house, I had made new friends, and everything seemed to be going according to the “plan.” But something was missing… this wasn’t home! 

They say home is where the heart is and that is absolutely true! God’s got a funny way of showing us things we need sometimes!  Now you’re situation may not be as extreme as mine, packing up everything and moving. Then a few months later God says to you, “Hey I’m sending you back!” Wait? What?

You see I didn’t know where my life was going when I got here. I was just going through the motions. And right now, as you’re reading this, I’m sitting in an office signing papers selling my house to the highest bidder! And in a few short days I’ll be “home.”

Home…that’s a factual term God uses to tell us where our heart is! And my heart is in Southern Illinois with a girl named Randi! So, whatever your situation is, never doubt God’s plan for you! Have faith and trust God, because his plan for you will always lead you home, on earth and in heaven! In the words of Dorothy Gale, “There’s no place like home.”

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11

Be Still

When was the last time you had a whole day without anything on your calendar? A day that was absolutely free? A 24-hour period to do just as you pleased? We fill our lives with things that must be done…chores, meetings, appointments. There always seems to be just one more thing to do.

God’s desire for us is to consistently make time to be alone with Him. Some one-on-one time if you will. Any parent knows how overwhelmed kids can become when they aren’t required to take some down time or quiet time.

It’s the same for us as children of God! He sees our busy lives and our long to do lists. God just wants us to stop and spend time in His presence. He gave us a beautiful world full of wonderous things but in our rush we often miss all He has to give. Psalm 46:10 tells us to,

Be still and know that I am God.

That doesn’t just mean sit still and listen to me. I feel the words are much deeper than that. God wants us to know He is in control. He is the planner and the doer. We need to turn our lives and schedules over to Him. They are His.

Life becomes calmer and more manageable when we allow the One who planned the universe to plan our day. Make time today to be still and hear what God has planned for you!

On a Treasure Hunt

Back in 2013, an unsuspecting California-based couple took their dog for a walk and noticed a rusted can partially buried in the ground. They were shocked to find that the metal container was filled with $20 gold coins.

Upon further investigation, the couple found several more cans buried on their property. The coins were minted from 1847 to 1894, and much to the couple’s surprise, there were nearly 1,400 $20 pieces in total. Additionally, the duo discovered 50 $10 coins and 4 $5 pieces. The collection of coins was estimated to be worth more than $10 million, with one coin, the 1866-S No Motto Double Eagle to be valued at $ 1 million on its own (Hobbyhelp.com/Reuters.com).

They found buried treasure. There is great thrill and excitement in finding something valuable or digging up treasure. Some come across such loot after diligently searching while others, like in this story, may accidentally stumble across it. There is a great treasure that is much closer to each of us than we may think. Except this treasure isn’t valuable because of its gold, silver, or dollar signs. It is something much more precious. The treasure I am talking about is God’s Word.

We are reminded from Colossians 2:2-3, that in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”. Whenever we pick up our Bibles and examine the words and life of Christ, we are on a treasure hunt. We are digging up wisdom and knowledge that is inexpressibly valuable. It is a treasure that doesn’t just inform us, it transforms our lives. It’s there for all of us, if we are just willing to do a little digging with our shovels of humility, sincerity, and diligence.

When you search God’s Word you will find treasures both old and new. When you find that treasure, remember it’s meant to be shared (Matthew 13:52). So, pick up your Bible today and get on your treasure hunt. Don’t put it down until you find treasure. I promise you it’s there, you just have to dig a little. And when you dig it up don’t keep it all to yourself. Pass it on.

Created with a Purpose

Do you ever feel that you don’t know what plan God has for you? Remember, God created you. He is alive and nothing is too difficult for Him. His love is bigger than any problem you may face. John 1:3-4 says,

“All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made, that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

One of the two who heard John the Baptist speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He said to His brother Simon, “We have found Jesus.” He then brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus said, “You are Simon, the Son of John, you shall be called Cephas which means Peter.” Was Andrew jealous? Did he wonder why Jesus didn’t give him a new name? What did Peter have that Andrew did not?

Remember, John 1:3 says of Jesus, all things were made through Him including Peter and Andrew. God created each of them for their own unique purpose. Maybe Andrew’s purpose was to bring other people to Jesus just as he brought his brother Peter. The Bible is the living, truthful word of God. So, John 1:3 must apply to us as well. Jesus made each of us. He knows what is inside of us and has a purpose for each of us. We are important to Him.

Do you have a sense of God’s unique purpose for you? In basketball players may try to force making a play when nothing is there instead of letting the game’s opportunities open up naturally. Likewise, instead of forcing your plan, let God open up opportunities to you by listening to Him. Seek God in prayer so He can prepare you to be more effective in following His will. Pray this today…

“God, you lovingly created me for a purpose. I dedicate myself to you and I am excited to see what you have in store for me. Amen.”