NorthStar Community Daily Devotional

Day 331 – Home at last

Having a Heart in a Sometimes Heartless World

Scripture focus: Christ brought us together through his death on the Cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility. Christ came and preached peace to you outsiders and peace to us insiders. He treated us as equals, and so made us equals. Through him we both share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father. You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all – irrespective of how we got here – in what he is building. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day – a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home. Ephesians 2, selected verses beginning at verse 16 in The Message

Today is Thanksgiving; many of us will be returning to our family homes. Some of us will be unable to make the trip – even though we really want to be with our families. I know in our family, one seat will be empty this year – and we will miss our boy and brother, grandson and nephew. Today his feet will be parked under someone else’s table. For a few of us, we’re hoping to avoid a family fracas – so we’re skipping the event altogether. And there’s probably a soul or two out there who isn’t welcome at his/her family table today.

No matter where you fit on the complicated spectrum of family harmony or conflict – I’ve got good news for you. Whether you feel like an outsider or insider – you have been given the gift of home. It may not look the way you want it to. The address may not be an old familiar one. But there’s a family that welcomes you – whether you’ve been naughty or nice.

Your seat at the table was bought at a great price – by a brother named Jesus. He paid for your ticket into the family of God by doing something for you that you could never do for yourself – he bought your pardon. He wiped your slate clean.

So find the table. Pull up a chair and dig into the feast.

You belong.

Not to sound like a preacher or anything – but if you don’t have this home, go find it. Your place is empty and waiting for you. You may have to visit some houses before you find the one that feels like home – so get busy. May you find the community that is missing you this very minute – and take your rightful place at the table. It’s my prayer that next year this time, you will be thrilled about your holiday plans. May today be a day where you take a step closer to finding your true home, in the family of God.