“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things of the earth. For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:2-3

One True Home

Once on an excursion to other places there was a conversation among a group around a campfire that became very derogatory and demeaning to those of us in California. I listened for awhile, but at length spoke up to say that I understood their feelings, but they were coming to conclusions based on a specific group of people’s behavior and some unsavory circumstances that did in fact exist, but not all people in California were as they were assuming them to be and not all situations were as dire as they described. They had lumped everyone together and were making judgments that I felt were not only erroneous, but cutting and spiteful. They did not know the kindhearted people of Redding. They had not experienced the beauty of our hills, trails, rivers and parks. They had not raised their families here. They had not worshipped and served God in this place. This was not their home.

I went to bed that night with hurt feelings and anger in my heart. I was surprised at my emotions. As I wrestled with my feelings, Jesus spoke. It was said of Jesus, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth” (John 1:46)? His hometown was likewise maligned and belittled. His comfort to me was as real as a divine hug from heaven. He knew what I was feeling and had endured the same kind of opinionated judgments. These judgments were based on half-baked truths and external appearances.

As the days went on, I came to another realization. It didn’t matter what they said about my hometown, or the state I lived in, or my own reputation for that matter. Afflictions were eclipsed by glory. For in reality, my home is more than Redding, California. My home is God Himself. Psalm 90:1 says, “O Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.” That’s all I want—to be at home with God. The rest is meaningless.

“Thank You that You meet us in restless nights and soothe our wounded hearts. You are my eternal Home and I will dwell with You forevermore. My life is hid with Christ in God. My address and my reputation cannot compare to the glory I find in You. Amen.”