The church is a family and a place to call home
God, you are Love and wherever you are, love is.
Wherever we share your love in the unity of our hearts, we find “home.”
These thoughts came to me early this morning as a prayer that rode in on the wings of remembrance. The previous night we said goodbye to our dear friends from Canada who were visiting us here in Australia. As we prayed together on this final evening, we shared the kind of fellowship that only brothers and sisters of faith can have. We were full of joy that although we were shortly to be separated again by an ocean, we were completely united by God’s Love. And this felt like HOME. We forgot that we currently lived on two different continents. We could have been anywhere.
We are a church without borders
Christians are people without borders, who can find security and belonging in one another. When we are together the love of God fills us with love, joy, and peace – and reminds us that we are a family with a loving Father. The belonging that we feel creates community and fellowship wherever we are in the world.
“For where two or three come together in My name, I am there with them.” Matthew 18:20
Our home is not defined by a building or a country
We are so blessed to have experienced this extraordinary presence of loving community and “home” even while living or traveling in several different countries – Australia, Canada, United States, and across Europe. We know that one day there will be only “one country” and “one home” and we will all be citizens of it. Yet even now, because of the presence of God in our hearts, we are experiencing a foretaste of heaven’s joy.
Thinking of this gives me both joy and peace and calms the restless fears of change. In each location of the globe we have an opportunity to meet more family members and to experience “home:”
This is kingdom life
- A meal shared – and it is communion
- A prayer prayed – and the Lord is there
- Laughter, singing, conversation – and there is joy, encouragement, and comfort…
I am a contributor to Sweet Jesus Ministries. Recently, I wrote a post called “No man (or Woman) is an Island to Themselves.”
In this, I wrote that there is an awesome eternal bond that is forged when we are re-born into the family of God. This bond unites us so that we can pursue this kingdom life together for our mutual benefit. Our unified and loving relationships with each other are meant to demonstrate to the world that we are His.
As much as we need our own times of solitude and one on one time with God in order to grow spiritually strong, we also need time of fellowship with other believers to grow spiritually strong.
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25
Looking Forward to a Home Yet to Come
In the great faith chapter – Hebrews 11, we are told that it was an act of faith for Abraham to leave his home and go to another land. When he arrived there he lived by faith and confidently looked forward to a city (home) with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God!
While we may not be called to travel as a nomad to another country, we do need to remind ourselves that we are sojourners on earth, and as such, our place of security and belonging is with God as our Father and with other believers in Jesus as our brothers and sisters. Our home together transcends place and time.
“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” Hebrews 13:14
Have you traveled to other places and found a home for your heart, even if your stay in that place is temporary?
I would love to hear about your own experiences! Please share them in the comment section.
Di, your words always invite one to look deeper, see more broadly, and love more openly. Thank you for sharing your heart. I know what it is to live a whole continent away from familiar surroundings and loved ones. Each place becoming home in which I was able to open my own door of hospitality and God’s love. God opened so many doors bringing people into our lives no matter where were. I am truly thankful for all the ones he allowed to cross my own path on my own journeys. Some have left deep imprints while others fond memories. I think of you often Di and miss our own times we have spent together breaking bread, worshipping, or just sharing our hearts.
Diane, you have such a loving and welcoming heart. I know that wherever you are, you are creating a home for people’s hearts, embracing them in God’s love. I do miss you, yet I never feel far away because I carry you in my heart.
Loved reading this. Reminds me of when I was younger living on my own and felt homesick. I went home and still felt homesick. It was then I realized I was not truly home until I was with God and he with me. Until I was with like minded people of faith. Ever since I realized that I am able to feel home no matter where I may be because I carry my home, the love of God and others, with me wherever I may be. It truly can be “here and now” as Jesus said if we are willing to see it, to love it, to walk in it. Thanks for another great article Dianne.
Thank you for your encouraging comments, David. God’s truth is certainly powerful and effective for all the circumstances of our lives.
Hi again, David. I was rereading your words and realizing how many of us feel homesick when we move out of our comfort zones but, like you said, God wants us to know our comfort, and therefore our home, with Him – carrying it around with us, so to speak. Well said, David.