A Family Home – Made in Heaven…

Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner-stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. 

Being the youngest of the family of 9 children and 2 very heavy laden adults, I must admit I was born into a house that was for the most part strangers (some very strange) and aliens (some from very fear away planets) to myself and I suspect in hindsight to each other.  As a family unit, we were taught to “live together”, and we did ok. But unfortunately we remained more like separate tiny houses rather than one big family. From my perspective, we refused to be built together by refusing to share the deeper things of our souls.

By the time I was able to comprehend life as more than MY needs (some would say this never happened), the “big” familyhouse was pretty empty because all the other little houses had moved out. Though I had lots of room to enlarge my tiny house, the few neighbors left to share the land,  stayed in their own tiny houses because they were just too tired to “visit” and certainly didn’t have the energy to “invite” me into their space for the purpose of BUILDING something more together!

I’m not criticizing my family, or calling them out as a bad example, nor am I complaining about the life I was given to live. I’m telling/explaining how I was trained to live in and teach others to live in our own tiny houses, right next door but never fitted together.

For the last 65 plus years it has seemed to be the way to go. Equal but separate!

That is, until this last week when God spoke (funny how a passage of Scripture sometimes is lifted off the page and becomes the LIVING WORD of God) to me inside my tiny house!

God intends to build us all together into a dwelling for Himself – ONE HOUSEHOLD into ONE DWELLING. Before this last week, when God intervened in my community outreach program, I was so busy constantly decorating and redecorating the tiny house I had built. I failed to notice the construction crew God was sending to tear down my not so tiny walls.

Meet Congregation Beth Messiah (online – live on Facebook – Saturday’s at 10AM Central time) a demolition team led by Rabbi Michael Vowell, sent to bulldoze my pride built walls and demolish all of the lies I have hoarded and hidden in my space.

It was shocking, yes, to realize my precious tiny home must come down (Rabbi Michael and CBM does sometime get the “Dirty Job” of rudely awakening God’s people to HIS truth).

Then God, as the Perfect Father, wraps His arms around me and whispers His love into my heart, as He rebuilds me, together with all His saints, into His household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner-stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

Some might call this a church, and I have entertained that label too. What I discovered this week was, those labels (and the expected lifestyles described by them) are the very things that separate rather than draw us together. In my earthly family we knew only the surface of each other. From that small view, from our own walled in looking-glass, we imagined each other to be the characters we created. Rather than knowing and growing with the individual, we labeled them family and THEREFORE knew everything we needed to know!

God doesn’t do that… He doesn’t call us His family members… He calls us His child.

He doesn’t call us His church members… He calls us His Community… His saints (set apart people).

He doesn’t call us His one and only… he calls us His nation… branches … Israel – and the rest of us – a wild olive branch, grafted in among them and becoming a partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree… (Romans 11:17-18)

One tree – individual branches – partakers of the rich root of the Olive Tree!

Our labels tend to separate us in order for us to imagine we might BE THE ROOT who controls the growth. In God’s household there is only One Root… and He (Jesus) supports the entire tree… do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. Humanly speaking, we tend to be arrogant toward any and all who aren’t like us or aren’t us.

The only true cure for our arrogance, as I learned this week, is to be exposed to and live in the community of God. The place where we take our position, and practice our ministry. The dwelling where we consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

The day that is drawing near… the day He comes back to finalize His covenant which He has promised to all who believe and confess Him (Jesus) as Savior.

Isaiah 40:3 A voice is calling. “Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.”We need to be a community of voices crying in this earthly wilderness… “Make ready the way of the Lord”… He’s coming back!

I admit I have been a lonely child living in my tiny house. I learned this week I can live in the midst of the community of God, where there is no time for loneliness or separation or boredom, unless of course I choose to return to my own little world.

I need to be… letting the word of Christ richly dwell within me, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing my brothers and sisters with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in my heart to God. (Colossians 3:16)

In my newborn/toddler years I was in community with other saints, but I became one of those who gave up assembling with others, for many selfish reasons but mostly because I did not DO family well, and therefore I gave up many opportunities to give and receive love from the household of God.

I want a DO-OVER!

I see in the mirror dimly through my online community. I see those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, putting on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgives (Colossians 3:12-13)

I pray to have the opportunity in the flesh once again (the few times I have visited in person, I have received the BEST HUGS EVER!)… Until then…

I put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. I let the peace of Christ rule in my hearts, to which indeed I was called in one body; and I am thankful (Colossians 3:14-15) 

God is surely building… His Household…  our forever Family Home – Made in Heaven!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.