That's a Wrap...for now.

I am sorry to report that severemercy.blogspot.com will be taking a break for an indefinite period of time. Hopefully, it will be back up and running soon.

Home is Where....

Earlier in this semester, I was missing the mountains and rolling plains of Montana, and the familiarity of home. I was lamenting the fact that it is uncertain when I will spend any extended period of time there again, noting how short the summers even seem. At this stage in college, the possibilities are endless. (*If any of you grew up in Montana, or have been there, you would know how easily one can fall in love with the place.) But in thinking about these things, I also considered what my attitudes have been in the years previous to college regarding my home. So often on vacations and travel, I ventured off into the unknown fearlessly. My one thought was to get as much out of the new experiences as I could. I did not pine for home because it would be there when I got back and I had the certainty that my journey would end far too soon. I had to use the time I had away from home the best I could. Sitting in a hotel room weeping over being away from home when I could be at a beach in Florida would just be silly. And it was those times away from home that made me appreciate what I really had when I got back.

All of this talk of home encouraged me to think about the one true home that Christians have in heaven and what our attitude should be toward it. It is our home and the place where we shall be heirs with Christ to enjoy his glorious majesty throughout all eternity. Sometimes our view of heaven overshadows our responsibilities in this life. We get so caught up in visions of glory that we are not mindful of the present. Because you suffer in a fallen world, you may yearn deeply for the peace of Christ in heaven. You are not alone in this. But we must not allow this yearning to hinder our journey here on earth. Know that if Christ is your king, then your kingdom is secure and you will have an "inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:4) It is sure, certain, constant, eternal. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ that has set us free, "neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation." (Romans 8:38-39) As did Christ, we have "a joy set before us" in heaven. Our present trials rightfully prevent us from becoming too attatched to the things of this world.

But while we long for that heavenly state, let us rejoice that God is faithful and that our home is secure, and let us not allow our longing overshadow this life. For we are still in the world and are part of God's plan. He has called us to glorify him in this life as he has in the next. So let us live like our home is secure and in the confidence that we will be with God when the time is right. Let us live with reckless abandon for Christ with his banner flying ever before us. "Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1) We know that even death will not separate us from Christ, so what is there to fear but failing to honor Christ? Let us abandon our sin, ourselves, and any other thing that prevents us from a life lived in submission to Christ. Don't become too comfortable in this world! It will all fade away. Instead, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20), for home is where.... If your heart is with Christ, then you may rest in his promises and may rise up in battle for him. Lose your life to save it. (Mark 8:35)