Homeward bound.

                My dear friend, Jordan, listens to my thoughts often and recently pointed out that I’ve been talking about the idea of being home with the Lord often. Not in a morbid way, but a longing to be with our God and in a place so perfect, where there is not crying, hurt or sin. I’m learning slowly that everything on earth pales in comparison to being with our Savior, so insignificant. 

                Although this is true, I consider myself extremely lucky to have had a home here on earth that is so special. Today, I went to Claddagh Coffee to do homework, after dropping my roommate off at the airport. After a while of being there, this young lady comes over and starts talking to me with tears in her eyes. I turned my music down and asked her to repeat herself, “Do you have a car? I really need to get home.” Of course, I would, so I gathered my bags and coffee as she held the door open for me.

               Still kind of confused I asked about her situation and what’s wrong. “My name is Edema. I’m trying to hide from my husband. He came home and my friend let him in, so I jumped out of a window and walked here. I'm so scared. We are legally married, but I don’t love him because it was an arranged marriage. My family is from Somalia and that is the custom in the Muslim religion.”

I listened to the rest of her story on the drive over and when we parked I asked if we could pray because,ultimately we don't have the control over these situations. I know she doesn’t believe in the same God as I do, but as I spoke God’s promises of faithfulness and love over her, she had tears streaming down her face. Everyone in her life has betrayed her, so especially now, it’s important that she can have confidence and faith in somebody. There is someone who will never leave her or stop loving her.

I cannot wrap my head around what she is going through.
I felt helplessness, but also hope.

In Revelation 4, its says “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

God says that he will destroy the earth in 2 Peter 3:10. "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare." He will do this because it is necessary. It is necessary to get rid of everything that is fatal and not a part of His design. Forest fires happen on occasion to make way for the new trees and life in the environment that come when there's space for it. Just in that manner, God will wipe away the former things in order to rebuild His kingdom. 
One way I think Christ has shown me about His character is through my family and earthly home, specifically all the memories in our backyard.
We have our bonfire where many people have sat around, swapping stories with sticky hands from the marshmallows and saturated with a smoky smell.

From the food we grow in our garden, my mom would make a meal as my dad grilled meat up; this would all be placed at the table on our deck where we’ve fit anywhere between 6-20 people just as the event needed.

We’ve coined this place “The Brown’s Bistro.” My parents are all about having people over, so we’ve sort of been known for throwing parties and gatherings where even strangers are invited. Among being a place where we’ve had lots of fun, the idea of being a good host and inviting people into our lives has been drilled into me.  I’ve been learning a lot lately in chapel about another way to state the gospel from A. J. Swoboda, that “Jesus would eat really really good food with really really bad people.”

In Mark 2:17 Jesus says, “those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Only inviting your friends and people you look up to for events not only is exclusive, but you are limiting the joy and knowledge you can gain from people that are different from you.

There’s no part of your life that Jesus doesn’t want to be a part of. He doesn’t want to let any of it be-  I started to learn this lesson in my backyard.

A.J. Swoboda also said, “Jesus is going to bring someone you can’t stand.” He did this often, including as he chose disciples. He invited both Peter the tax collector and Simon the zealot to follow Him. Just imagine what dinner would be like with them to coming at each other’s throats.

We are called to love. Maybe this starts with a barbecue and smores, or maybe driving someone home in hopes that God has placed them in your life for a moment. This is the greatest commandment- to love God and our neighbors. Not everyone gets to experience the love of Christ through their family, so we need to be that for others. I hope that Edema someday gets to experience a Home, instead of hiding away in friend’s apartments- one that’s filled with perfect love. That she gets to sit at a table where there’s always an extra spot. There’s always more room at our King’s table.