my soap journal

Scripture:

Hebrews 13:14 “For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our city in heaven, which is yet to come.”

Observation:

Last month the Harts were in town painting the Dauer’s house – they stayed for four weeks.  It was really fun to have them here, and they enjoyed it, but toward the end of their stay all of them grew very homesick and went home earlier than planned.  Tallia actually stayed behind with Tom and Kathy to go to the cabin and she’s been away from her parents now for almost a week.  You can almost see her heart aching for her parents.  These are the feelings (I think) Scripture tells us to have regarding our life here.  But it never really feels like that.  I imagine my cushy and relative problem-free life contribute to feeling “at home” here.  I also suspect if I were able to compare life here to life in heaven, I would feel quite differently.

Application:

One of my initial thoughts is that while I’m away from home, I’m less inclined to care what people think about me – “I’ll never see them again!”  Another thought is that I don’t acquire stuff while I’m gone – perhaps seasonal clothing, if forgotten at home; perhaps a small souvenier or gift, but not furniture.  Is there “furniture” that I’m collecting?  It also occurs to me that, while away from home, most of my money goes toward relational purposes.  Am I making the most of my earthly resources to build relationships while I’m “away from home”?

Prayer:

Well Lord, as I prayed before I began today, I can’t make this time happen without your help.  Please give me the drive to get up despite the amount of sleep I get.  Thank you for meeting me here each morning.  Give me an “away from home” mindset and correct my perspective.