I grew up in Dallas. As a youngster, I thought my home was merely the few square blocks surrounding our house. As I grew older, my world expanded to a much larger metroplex, state, entire nation, and other parts of the world. For the longest time I considered Dallas as my “home.” Then we moved.
My husband is from East Texas. After we sold our business, he asked if I was ready to move to the farm (in East Texas). Without hesitation, I said, “If it will get me out of this traffic, I’m packing!” While I have many fond memories of Dallas as home, there are some conveniences of a larger city that I admit to missing. However, the benefits of a small town community far outweigh the detriments of an over-populated metroplex. I love my small town.
What I noticed immediately (besides a slower pace and no traffic), was the care the community had for one another. Neighbors celebrate with you in good times as well as grieve with you during times of loss. Not to be morbid, we attend a funeral/memorial service often because we want to show our respect and show our support for the families during their time of loss.
There really is no place like home. Throughout literature and song, there seems to be a longing for home, something deep within us that longs for the place where we can be loved and accepted, where we feel safe and secure, where we can lay our heads down in peace.
For Jesus, home is all about where the heart is, about our heavenly home, about how we live our lives, and about how we move and breathe. He never talks about buildings or possessions or what the “world” calls security. Home is about being centered in Christ, about doing the will of God, and about letting go of the false illusions of worldly security to which we so often cling.
As Christians, we hear it in scripture and in preaching. Home has nothing to do with our buildings, be they grand cathedrals or large worship centers. We don’t have to GO home; as Christians, we’re home right now. We’re home wherever two or more gather in Jesus’ name. Our real home is not a house that’s made with hands. It is rather a place written deeply on our heart, woven into the very fabric of our being, and it’s built with the whisper of Jesus’ love and grace. And all we are called to do, dear friends, is to lay down anything that prevents us from making our home in Christ.
So it’s true that there’s no place like home (in Christ). Our home in Christ is the place where we are taken in and valued. We have this home solely because God loves us so very much.
Lord, when we feel lost, help us trust you to lead us on the path toward home. Amen
Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries of Pittsburg, TX. She has been a contributor to Bound for Life and written numerous articles published in LifeNews, Christian Post and the Baptist Standard, and is the author of Go Tell It! Debby can be contacted at caryjohnefurdministries@gmail.com. Visit her at the Second Mile blog at https://debbyefurd.com.
Tagged: east texas, God’s love, grief and loss
