April 22, 2016
Enough Is Enough
Do not let your hearts be troubled... In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
John 14:1, 2
I am not exactly a "house person," but I do like houses. By that I mean that I have neither renovating nor decorating skills, but, for much of my adult life, I have been constantly on a low-grade, even subconscious search for "the One"--that bungalow or low-slung mid-century that expresses my sense of the life I think I'm living...or should be living. We've been in the present place for a couple of years now. When I bought it, I proclaimed, "This is it. No more!" But even though I said I wasn't looking, I still looked. Just to see, of course. Just to see. Then one day I was moved--by grace--to make a decision. [i]Stop looking and pretending you're not. Stop feeding dissatisfaction in this earthly home. Accept where you are, now. It's enough.[/i] And there it was. In standing still, I was free.
Jesus, you are Lord of my life. May my heart settle in the peace of your eternal dwelling place.

- Amy Welborn

Acts 13:26-33|Psalm 2:6-11|John 14:1-6

Comments

April 23, 2016 at 04:30 AM

Way cool, Amy.
Grateful!

April 22, 2016 at 12:30 PM

I was also always looking for that perfect earthly house. Now I am content to wait for the perfect eternal home.

April 22, 2016 at 11:58 AM

Beautiful reflection, Amy. Thank you

April 22, 2016 at 10:56 AM

Amen

April 22, 2016 at 10:29 AM

Lord, help me to spend less time looking for the perfect house here on earth and more time focusing on my permanent home with You. Amen

April 22, 2016 at 10:25 AM

Thank you for this touching devotion, Amy. I spend so much of my time spinning my wheels looking for that perfect job, better house, etc; it's exhausting. If I spent half the time praying that I do searching I would probably be a more peaceful person. Thank you for the lesson!

April 22, 2016 at 09:01 AM

Bleedings to you Amy, love your writings, goes right to the heart and soul,and really make you stop and think.LOVE, COMPASSION, FAITH, HOPE, JOY AND PEACE TO ALL GOD CHILDREN.

Jack
April 22, 2016 at 10:10 AM

Welcome to the Forum TJR...may we share these gifts of the Holy Spirit with others as we appreciate and use them ourselves!

April 22, 2016 at 09:00 AM

Thank you, Amy. I, too, keep looking, I tell myself I am right where I am supposed to be! But there is the restlessness! Everyone writing before me described this well! My husband and I are looking for a home in our childhood town. We have gone full circle--moving with the military overseas, ending up for 20yrs on the East coast, and now back in our home state. Both of us crave home. Recently, I described to him that I feel rootless. Our family became my "roots" through each move and transition. Now, that need for home is incredibly strong. Ultimately, this is my craving for home with my God. I often think his restlessness within me is the movement of the Holy Spirit. My roots are with God. I want to make certain that my movements on earth are within His will for me on earth.

April 22, 2016 at 08:13 AM

Amen! :)

April 22, 2016 at 07:06 AM

Great prayer, Amy!

Hebrews 13:14, "For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come."

John 14:1, "Jesus said to His disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in Me."

Where I belong by Building 429
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zplX5FDDuH0

John 14:3-7, "When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I Am. And you know the Way to where I am going.” “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through Me. If you had really known Me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him!”

I look forward to be with You, Lord Jesus! That's the place where I belong!

Love what You said in Isaiah 25:7-8 There You will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. You will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. You will remove forever all insults and mockery against Your land and people. The Lord has spoken!

And Revelation 21:3-4 God’s home is now among His people! You will live with us, and we will be Your people. God Yourself will be with us. You will wipe every tear from our eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain! Amen! Hallelujah!

Better is One Day (in Your house than thousands elsewhere) by Kutless
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdE03zRJtxw

TJR
April 22, 2016 at 08:51 AM

Beautiful, I love it. Thank you deeply . Amen Lord watch over us all til you bring us home to our eternal resting place with you,may God riches bless us this his day.

April 22, 2016 at 07:03 AM

I echo everyone's comments. yesterday I was craving this stillness so much that I stopped on my way home (instead of rushing to get home to let the dog out or start dinner) to a church in my area with Perpetual Adoration to sit in stillness with Jesus. The peacefulness, the standing still helped center me. Thank you for the reminder!

TJR
April 22, 2016 at 08:55 AM

That wonderful we all need to do this more often, how blessed we truly are. Thank you

April 22, 2016 at 06:48 AM

Thank you Amy for that reflection. So, I am not the only one who wonders " what if"? My life is so different from what I always thought it would or should be. I look at others my age (late 60's) and think that is what it should be like and that is how I should look now. I have to keep telling myself that it is what it is and that God is really giving me a gift to live a more unique life--caring for others. Whenever I see commercials of smiling seniors riding bikes, I remind myself how much more a blessing it is to see the smiles of those I love.

April 22, 2016 at 06:48 AM

Amen- "in standing still I was free". That applies to so much and especially one situation in particular in my life. Thank you for the reminder!

April 22, 2016 at 06:36 AM

Thank you Lord for this day and for this Gospel. Thank you Lord for your help yesterday.
Please Lord help me in my day today. Help me Lord to do your work. Thank you Lord
For my faith, my life and my family. Please Lord have mercy. Amen

Lia
April 22, 2016 at 07:38 AM

Amen

April 22, 2016 at 04:20 AM

At 68 I find myself somewhat restless still. Always thinking maybe we should move, downsize, save money, have less upkeep.........well Amy's reflection for today hit home for me. I am right where God wants me to be and I should and will try to embrace the moment.

Robert
April 22, 2016 at 04:07 PM

Acts 17:24-28 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and [a]exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’

Please pray for my wife and I, Living Faith family. My wife was in car accident yesterday right around the corner from our house -- she is ok physically, but emotionally shaken up -- and doesn't recall how it happened. Her car is totaled -- hit a telephone pole. My response to these events has been less than faith-filled at the least. Please pray. Thank you!

The above Scripture came to mind when I saw today's commentary by Amy. I believe that based upon verse 26 that our Lord, our God, is personally, intimately involved and concerned with, where we live and who we live next to. I believe that our "times" as well as our locations, are factored into his Providential care, and that this can also apply to where we work, serve and recreate. Mostly, it's not even about "us" at all, but maybe it's for the people around us that we influence with our presence.

I also believe that, based upon life events of persons recorded in the Bible (ie, Abraham leaving his father's country, Isaac being lead to Rebeccah, Jacob running from Esau to his mother's kin, etc.) that these "decisions" to stay or move, to do this thing, or NOT do this thing, etc., are actions that we take "along the way" as we trust Him, rather than a "dictated determination" from before all of time and creation. Rather, it's relationship and demonstration of His love for us that can lead us into these new "ventures" of our lives.

Can anyone in this forum testify of God's faithfulness and leading in their lives?

Jack
April 22, 2016 at 10:12 AM

Great stuff Lance...thank you. May we continue to appreciate what God has given to us and what is really important...Praise God, Father...Son...Holy Spirit!!!

Llance Clark
April 22, 2016 at 09:32 AM

Your words are so encouraging and inspiring. Reminds me how blessed and thankful I should be for 69 years of life, a home for 26 years and a wonderful family.
We do tend to take these gifts for granted at times.
Thank you all for reminding me. May God's blessing be upon you all this wonderful day.
Lance

Peter
April 22, 2016 at 05:28 AM

Amen Marsha! Thanks Amy for this timely piece. Blessings

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