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Topic: Abiding in His Love 8/27-9/3/26 (08/27/26)
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TITLE: Searching for Utopia | Previous Challenge Entry
By LINDA GERMAIN
09/02/26 -
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Many of the residence changes happened before I had any say. A relocation pattern in childhood was ingrained by a restless parent who, like the bear that went over the mountain, always seemed curious to see what was on the other side.
Maybe it was a desire to be settled and at peace, but with no clue how to make that happen except to pack up again and head in another new direction. It was no big deal for me. Even all the school changes were a ho-hum matter embraced without drama—a renewable tutorial in meeting unfamiliar situations with confidence.
I’ve lived in everything from McMansions to falling-down vintage rentals long past their expiration date. Add mobile homes, newly-built tract houses, a dorm, basements, apartments, and cottages, and that almost begins to cover the list.
I’ve had a few roommates, including parents for eighteen years, a child for eighteen more, a grandmother for three, and a spouse for a couple of decades. For another chunk of years I lived with a dear widowed relative who needed some assistance until she passed. Now, I’m alone again, but definitely not lonely.
There have been very few emotional connections to a dwelling. One was the sweet little rock house where my baby grew into a happy youngster, and then, of course, we moved. Seemed like a good plan at the time.
Looking back on those joyful days, I’m not sure being entrenched there for years longer would have produced the elusive soul solace I was seeking. Even though that charming, sturdy rock place is now worth ten times what we paid for it, a better “rock” was waiting. I just didn’t know where.
Those memories are very precious, but when reality creeps into a falsely idealized life, crumbling structures can easily fall apart from the inside out. We know what happened to two of the three little pigs who lived in foolishly constructed homes. They couldn’t survive a simple huffing and puffing from a single wolf-storm. Good message there.
For way too long I have been convinced my real home was out there patiently waiting for me. I was right. Like Noah’s flood-tossed ark which came to rest on a mountain, my raggedy, hole-poked boat has docked and is finally safe in a harbor I did not know existed.
For some, that might suggest a new come-to-Jesus event. That isn’t it. I’ve loved the Savior for decades. His mercy and grace are grounded in immovable faith. This new revelation is a theme I’ve studied and heard preached by a precious few, but I could never quite see the forest for the trees (yes, there are trees where my metaphorical boat has moored).
In Oswald Chambers' devotional book, My Utmost for His Highest, after several daily readings and ponderings, I finally understand the link to our abiding place, the one where I have come to rest and wait for the grand move to Heaven.
From June 7: “The disciple who abides in Jesus is the will of God, and what appears to be his free choices are actually God’s foreordained decrees. Is this mysterious? Does it appear to contradict sound logic or seem totally absurd? Yes, but what a glorious truth it is to a saint of God.”
It has nothing to do with the walls or roof or neighborhood where my earth suit resides. If a better physical situation were to appear, I absolutely would pick up and move. To lighten my load, I’m jettisoning unnecessary stuff and paring down to only essentials. Any place, from one room to an RV standing still or rolling, would be fine and accepted as the next step in obedience to God’s guidance.
Like a turtle who carries his sheltered sanctuary with him, I have discovered that the only real home-treasure is rooted in more than believing in and loving Jesus, which I do, but also in total daily reliance on His love in every single aspect of life, from provisions to guidance. This divine freedom to abide in my wondrous spiritual dwelling will go with me right through to eternity!
Home-sweet-home peace that surpasses all understanding has always been there. I simply wasn’t listening to the perfect directions.
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