Lately, I have been thinking about the idea of home. Is it a place? Is it a physical box with four walls? Is it a place that stores memories? Or is it more than that? Because none of those questions feels sufficient to me. Home feels like more than a timeline, more than an address.
At first, I thought, home is a state of mind. I grew up primarily in Austin, Texas. I’ve lived in the area code 512 for over 12 years before moving to Dallas. I came back home recently, and it was quite strange. My body felt more relaxed! There was a physical difference! My shoulders naturally untightened. My walking pace slowed. I wasn’t in a rush to go anywhere or do anything. I felt calmer, more rooted. I think a big part of feeling comfortable was also my lack of responsibility in Austin. Life, work, church, friends, it all happens in Dallas for me. So obviously, going back to Austin, where there aren’t any schedules or expectations, would result in me feeling more at ease.
But after thinking about it some more, I don’t think that my answer was enough. Home still felt like more than a mindset. Because after the fourth day of being in Austin, I started to feel this itch to go back to Dallas, my other home. I longed for the lifestyle of discipline, work, play, and silence that had taken years of practice to solidify. So then I thought, is Austin not my home? Is Dallas my real home now?
So then I came to a crossroads. Where is home for me, I wondered. But then I think God smiled at my thoughts. He gave me an answer even though I never asked him directly. Home is where the Holy Spirit is. I attended an online service at my home church yesterday, and suddenly I felt the most at peace I felt in days. Then, the answer started to appear. Home isn’t a state of mind or a physical place. Home is being with the one you feel most close to, and that for me is Jesus.
God is so good, isn’t he? I didn’t even lift up my questions to him, but he’s so attentive to me and answered me anyways. True peace, true comfort, true rest, true home is where I am simply spending time with Jesus. It can be in Austin, Dallas, or even when I’m on vacation. But after being a Christian for over 30 years, I’ve come to realize that the one I am most at ease with, the one who feels most familiar and safe to me now, is Jesus. Praise God! He’s done it again. He’s worked in my heart and brought me to this place. He really is the good shepherd.
If you want to get to that place of feeling truly comfortable and at home with God, all you need to do is spend time with him. You can do that by simply following the basics, praying to God and reading the bible. I call it the bread and butter of the Christian life. If you just do that daily, I believe it is only a matter of time before God starts changing you and speaking to your heart. God enjoys us! He loves it when we spend time with him.
I hope you’re not disappointed in my revelation. I know a lot of my blog posts end up talking about the importance of mental health. But this time the answer is so much deeper and more whole. If you’re looking for a home, a place to feel rooted in this life, seek the Lord. He’s waiting for you. He already loves you! Until next time, friends!
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