There’s No Place like Home

After going through the storm and facing numerous trials, all she wanted was to simply go home. Her new companions were in search of brains, heart, and courage. She wanted no more than to return to the place where things were familiar and safe, where she was loved by her family and friends. So, Dorothy closed her eyes, clicked her ruby slippers and repeated the words of a longing heart: “there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home.”

I know how Dorothy felt, for somewhere over the rainbow is my home. Few places equal the beauty of Hawaii. Too often, the picturesque land and sea can be taken for granted and not appreciated in the midst of the chores of the daily routine. Friends from home have sent me calendars of Hawaii which call me home.

My mouth waters as I remember favorite foods. Kalbi ribs, mandoo, shrimp and vegetables, andagi, Portuguese bean soup, lumpia, and Lorrie’s bread pudding. I feel like getting a flight home just to eat. I have the Baptist gift of potluck.

Like Dorothy, what I truly miss are the people. After 23 years of walking life’s journey together, I am still overwhelmed by the love, support, and prayers I have received from home. I have been so blessed to serve with such a gracious and generous people.

Unfortunately unlike Dorothy, I cannot simply decide to go home. They apparently do not make ruby slippers in size 14. So I will continue to have the wish of returning to the home of rainbows, because there’s no place like home.

These musings on my earthly home have reminded me of my home beyond eternity.

"Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for 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: 1-3

Jesus has gone before me to prepare my heavenly dwelling place according to His father’s design. Jesus not only prepares my future home, but also promises to come for me when it’s my moving day, when I step from time to the timelessness of eternity.

The Bible contains few descriptions because our human words are so inadequate to describe the celestial vistas. So for now, we can imagine.

Imagine the relief of laying down our burden of sin and guilt.
Imagine viewing every day the extraordinary masterpiece of God’s perfect creation, painted with colors that do not even exist on our palette.
Imagine the intimacy of unending fellowship with other believers - a people who will be the embodiment of the Fruit of the Spirit.
Imagine worship that flows as naturally as breathing - where the majestic peals of thunder shout forth His praise.
Imagine a place where there are no more fears or tears. No more pain or disease. No more selfishness or pride. No more questions, only God’s perfect answer…Jesus.

This is a simple yet profound description of heaven: “…that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:3. Paradise regained in the presence of the Prince of Peace.

Richard Baxter writes,
My knowledge of that life is small,
The eye of faith is dim,
But it's enough that Christ knows all,
And I shall be with him.

Some think this pondering is some sort of morose fatalism. It may seem that such thoughts reflect a desire to escape this world. I have found that this blessed hope allows me to truly enjoy God’s lavish grace today.

If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

So my heart yearns for my earthly home and heavenly home. Jesus asks me just to believe and trust His promises. My heart will not be troubled, for in Christ, there is no place like home.

See you at home,
Dan

Disappointment an Appointment with God

"Look at the nations and watch--and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. Habakkuk 1:5

William’s life was a disappointment in everyway. He could not find a way to escape the avalanche of discouraging circumstances that now were bringing a crushing depression. There was such a hopelessness in William’s heart that he finally grasped at the only way he knew to regain control. He decided to end his own life.

William called for a cab to take him to the river. He would throw himself in and drown. He got in the cab and then a mysterious thing began to happen. A dense fog rolled in and the driver could not find the river and had to take William home.

He laid on his bed in disbelief. He could not even take his own life. That is when he remembered his pistol. He placed the pistol against his head and pulled the trigger…

Have you ever been disappointed? When life is not going the way you appointed it? When circumstances are overwhelming you and you feel you have no control? When you are hoping for change and then it does, by getting worse?

Have you ever been disappointed with God? We, of course, would probably not admit this, yet the questions still haunt our minds. It is a frightening and lonely place to be when as a believer we have unbelief.

God is not limited by my self-appointed plans. He is not stressed by our to-do lists, goals, or timing. Too often we are short-sighted and fearfully pursue human expectations. God’s plans invite us to the pinnacle of faith, which help us to move beyond our disappointments to gaze into eternity and discover our place in God’s Kingdom.

Waiting for a liver transplant has often given me a ticket to ride on a rollercoaster of faith and disappointment. My position on the waiting list can change day by day. This at times seems to leave me suspended between my old life and the life I hope for if God provides me with a liver.

Disappointments stimulate deep feelings that require more than clichés, Sunday School knowledge or a casual untried faith. Disappointments can be God’s invitation to meet Him. When I accept His appointment, I will meet the One who never disappoints.

I am gradually learning to approach my disappointments by surrendering myself to God’s sovereignty, purpose, and timing.

God’s Sovereignty
God must reign in every aspect of my life. He does not need my permission or advice to do whatever pleases Him. This is true whether I believe it or not. This is far more than mental acceptance of a doctrinal truth. It is a reality learned by living it.

Everything that touches my life has first been presented in the throne room of God.
Job, who was a righteous man, faced every kind of disappointment imaginable: loss of wealth, livelihood, children and families, and health. After a myriad of questions, the God who seemed distant and silent offers the only response needed…I am God! Hear the disappointment fade away in Job’s words.

Then Job replied to the LORD:
"I know that you can do all things;
no plan of yours can be thwarted.
You asked, `Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?'
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
You said, `Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.'
My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.” Job 42:1-6

When I am disappointed, I am usually focused on my circumstances rather then God’s control. The fog of disappointment clears away in the light of God’s love.

God’s Purpose
The twin towers of God’s sovereignty and purpose have the foundation of His love. This truth guards me from the terrorist attacks of Satan and self. A life that does not recognize God’s rule and purpose will easily be defeated on the battlefield of faith. As frustrations grow, questions attack:

How can I make my plans work?
Will I ever be able to change that other person?
Why did this happen?
Does God not hear me?
What should I do next?

Jesus and His disciples encountered a man who had every right to be disappointed and live a lifetime of questions. Instead, it is the disciples with the questions. Why has this man been blind from birth? What went wrong?

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:3-5

This was not a question of punishment, but of God’s purpose worked out through his life. We love to pray for God’s will to be done, as long as it is our will also. It is not a matter of my disappointment but God’s appointed purpose in my life.

God’s Timing
Few things generate more questions of faith then God’s timing. Sometimes God seems confused. I have carefully worked out what should happen and when, but God appears in a completely different time zone. My disappointment comes when I fail to remember God’s timing flows from His sovereignty and purpose. We see this process throughout God’s word.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:20-21

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14

Both Joseph and Esther were foreigners in places where they had no control or power, but the King of Kings was in complete control and would use their lives in ways beyond their comprehension.

It is always a mistake to inject my timetable on the One who is timeless. Time is the brush of God which He uses to paint His masterpiece of the human heart.

William placed the pistol against his head and pulled the trigger… but it misfired. He then found some poison and drank it. You guessed it, it did not kill him, it just made him very sick.

As he laid on his bed, he saw his life preserver. It was an old bible. In these pages He found the God who knew every disappointment of his life and slowly showed him how He was there all along and was preparing his life for His glory. God gave him sense where there had only been an endless parade of senselessness. He gave his life to Christ, and 3oo years later we can still find our appointments with God through William Cowper’s words.

God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sov'reign will.

You fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Expecting God in the Unexpected,
Dan