“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:2-3

 Houseless

I’ve had the opportunity over the last several months to become acquainted with a man who lives on the streets of our city. Many of you would recognize him if I described him to you. After several conversations with him I know that he once served as a medic in the military, he is well read, intelligent and has some mental health issues.

He doesn’t refer to himself as homeless, but as houseless. I take this to mean that he doesn’t feel he is without a home, he simply chooses not to make his home in a house.

Yesterday my family took a hike around Packer’s Bay out at Shasta Lake; it was brisk and beautiful. We came across a sleeping bag, a fire pit and a bag full of what appeared to be trash. It looked like a small homeless camp. I started to pray for my houseless acquaintance. It was 36 degrees when we started our hike; I prayed he was somewhere warm.

As I continued to pray, and thought again of his “houselessness,” the above verses came to mind. It occurred to me, the only house that will ever really matter to any of us is the one Jesus has gone to prepare for us. Where we live down here on earth, in the speck of time we’re here, doesn’t mean a whole lot in the face of all eternity. Don’t get me wrong, I adore the 934-square foot 1950’s house we have lived in, loved in and raised our family in over the last 25 years. But it’s getting old, and showing signs of wearing out, much like this tent of mine that is holding my spirit and where, crazily enough, the Spirit of the Living God has chosen as temporary His house (John 14:17). It is wearing out, as it is meant to. “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1).

The next time I see this gentleman, I pray I am courageous enough to ask him if he has accepted the love of Jesus, and with it the invitation to live in the only House that really matters. I pray his, and your, answer is yes.

“Father God, Your Word tells us Your Son, Jesus, is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to You except through Hi. (John 14:6). Your desire is to fill Your house with Your children. I pray we all accept the eternal invitation to live in Your house with You and Your Son. Amen.”