The land was foreign. He was the foreigner.
It was a place of no familiarity but with each step Abraham headed to the place of promise. The journey was leading him further and further away from his home and closer to fulfilling the forever promise. Each step led Him closer to God. The Lord spoke, “I will make you a great nation because I AM your God.”
The journey was long and rugged. Desert lands and waters crossed. Setting up camp and tearing down over and over again and spoken of as the stranger wherever he went.
Along the journey God gave him insights; this will be home for your people someday.
He did things like plant trees and build altars.
Gave a tenth of everything (which was quite a lot) and received visitors.
Pitched a tent and looked up to count the stars.
He worshipped the Eternal Creator.
There were those who looked at his success and intimacy with God with awe. There were those who looked at him as the foreigner from Ur…or Haran.
I am sure there were times he felt unwelcome. I am certain there were days when all he wanted to do was go back to the home of his ancestors. No doubt he craved his grandma’s home-cooking.
The comfort of the familiar can lead us to a life of trying to pitch our tent in this our temporary home instead of living each breath with the hope of being with the One who sits enthroned forever.
Still the voice of the Lord was clear; Go out from your land. Leave your relatives.
Go out from where those who look like you and talk like you and eat like you.Go. And pitch that tent of yours.
Go out from where those who look like you and talk like you and eat like you.Go. And pitch that tent of yours.
--------
He might be calling to you…
Leave that neighborhood of yours…take that new job…adopt that sibling group…enroll in school...teach that children’s class…give that tax money away…stay right where you are.
The Lord’s callings so different for each of us though the promise of the His nearness and goodness are each of our guarantees.
-------
As a child He spoke that I was to go.
Leave your family and home.
You know those people who really get you
and love you regardless of your mood or selfish ways. The ones who knew you
when you were an awkward seventh grader with glasses trying to rock the plaid skirt.
Those loved ones who embrace you each time you return home.
For six out of the seven past years we have
planted our trees and dug wells in a foreign land. We have aimed daily at
making this place our home away from home. Then somewhere along the way our
hearts have made room for another place that we call home.
Though we continue to be the foreigner with
the tall nose, something about the daily struggle to live in a strange land, and
a deep love for the people, He does something un-natural for your being that
doesn’t prefer change. Your family no longer next door, you begin to depend and
treasure those whom just a year ago were strangers. The forever home becomes
your view and a confidence that He can make even the foreign familiar on this
earth renews your trust.
The foreign truly becomes familiar.
Then I see that tree we planted or read the journal entry when He said “Go”. I see how the Lord has held us during the hardest wilderness thus far. You count it joy that all of those things that used to feel culturally odd now start to feel normal and love pours out. The granddad starting his morning by hitting himself against a tree feels normal and healthy. The crowds of people that gather around your children to take pictures all those sausages hanging from your neighbor’s patio and riding my bike to meet up with a friend on a Monday night are just everyday life.
Then the countdown begins
for how many more nights we have until we return
“home” and we can look up to
the heavens and actually see the stars without the pollution stealing the glory
of His nightly show.
The days ahead of
soaking up family time with parents, siblings, cousins and college friends
feels way too good to even imagine. It seems a dream to have more than a few
days. The Lord truly is the giver of all good things. We open our mouths wide
and He pours out in abundance.
The packing begins
and my mind and heart processes these past three and half years. They were so
good and yet so painful.
The Lord so near
though there was some tearing. A glorious work in many hearts unraveled and
wrapped up in Christ love. A deep working in my own heart as it was broken and
re-broken. Lives were restored and friendships made. Healings performed and
sisters bonded for life. Three new children added to our family. A marriage
strengthened by the crushing’s and joys of life. Chinese food inhaled by each
one of our children.
HE has made ready our home…and with each step
away we see promises fulfilled and God’s faithfulness revealed.
Home is with Him.
For the sake of the gospel, the status of foreigner, now seems sweet and though it can cause a culture day now and then, it brings a joy from above that as a girl He made it clear to me that His callings surpass our dreams of comfort and security.
All the while the
longing for the eternal home satisfies this thirsty soul and keeps me pressing
in so that my life will tell of His promises throughout all generations.
Goodbyes said and
tears shed…Lord willing we will make that voyage west in just a few short days.
Get ready our tribe
is headed your way! And we want to see you all!!!! We are EXCITED to GO home!!
------
Gen 21:33-34; Gen 12:7; Gen 14:20; Gen 18; Gen12:8;
Gen 15:5; James 1:17; Acts 7;
Rev 21:22-23; Isa 60:1-2; Ps 81:10; Jer
29:5-7;Ps 107:9; Ps 37;James 4:8; Ps 145:9
