This Place Called Home

When my kids were little, I used to have chore sheets for each of them. Every day after school they were required to do their specific chore and then mark it off the list.

Some days would be good days. Happy moods. Willing hearts. Other days would be~
I. Hate. These. Stupid. Chores!Why can’t we just play outside with our friends and have fun?.

At times I believe this is how many adults view God. They think that He is up in heaven with a list of rules they have to obey in order to get His approval.

They’re afraid that if they choose God they will have to give up too much.

They’re afraid they will miss out on all the fun.

They look at church and the Bible as if it were one big chore list.

But that’s not God.
(1 Corinthians 2:9)

There is nothing we could ever do to “earn” our way to heaven. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

No rules we must to follow.

No commandment we must keep.

Church isn’t about rules. God isn’t about rules. He’s not up in heaven waiting to hit you over the head if you don’t mark off your daily chore. He doesn’t have a list of things He demands you give up before He will allow you into Heaven. (1 John 4:8)

God is all about love and we desperately need to understand the extent of His love,
(Psalm 103:12, Romans 8:38-39)

and realize that if we could ever do enough good deeds, enough chores, if we could follow every single rule~

What was the point of His Son dying on the cross for us?

God looks at us and He doesn’t see a chore list. He sees His Son and He loves us in spite of our sinful self. (Romans 5:8)

All God wants is you.

All He asks for is your heart.
(Romans 10:9-10)

My children had some very close friends growing up. “Best friends”. I truly loved all of them but that love didn’t even come close to the love I had for my own child.
(Isaiah 49:15, 66:13)

But God~

He loves us AS HE LOVES HIS OWN SON JESUS! (John 17:23)

That’s PROFOUND!!

It is mind blowing and hard for this mama to even comprehend.

Oh my friend~ that’s what you’re missing out on. The love of a Father that would give His own Son for you!
(John 1:11-12, 3:16, 4:10&14, 6:35,
1 John 4:9-10)

And when we realize all that- we realize that church isn’t about rules. Its all about God the Father and His amazing, unending love for us. It’s Home. It’s a place where we can have child like peace and comfort in a messy world. Where we can be God’s child and rest in Him.

My children are all adults now~ but there’s something special that happens when they come to visit.

There are no chore lists, there are no rules. There is only love and fellowship with mom and dad.

Child like comfort and security, love and rest in the place they once called Home.

Won’t you come home today?

(Deuteronomy 31:8,
Exodus 33:14,
Psalm 4:8, 23:4, 37:7, 62:1-2, 119:76,
Philippians 4:7)