Promised Land hopes in a Kingdom of Heaven Reality

We all want the promised land. We deeply desire to live in a house we did not build, drink from wells we did not dig and gather grapes we did not plant (Deut 6:10-12). God’s promise to Israel greatly appeals to Americans today. We want the maximum reward for minimum effort.  But God’s promise wasn’t to Americans…it was to a barely cohesive band of people who were mostly of Abrahamic descent. They’d been in slavery for nearly 400 years and they had no sense of national pride or any concept of how to pull themselves up “by their boot straps.” Apart for being sandal clad, they had little idea of what life without orders entailed.

Instead of dwelling in the land flowing with milk and honey, we’re informed, “in this world we will have trouble” (John 16:33).  Wait?? Seriously? The Old Testament God is MORE merciful and generous that the New Testament one? YEP!!

No!

The Bible describes the singular God - deeply in love with us and sacrificing himself for us…in both testaments. We just often miss it. The truth is the new covenant (God’s plan as revealed in the New Testament) is HARD too!

Peter tells us that we are destined to live as aliens and strangers in this world (1 Pt 2:11), and yet we strive (sometimes with ridiculous effort) to make a home in this world. God’s uprooted my sense of home more than most. New job in WA, license plates in CO, stuff in storage…

You know me well enough to know that I thrive on change…I love meeting new people and making new friends. I’m thrilled to be right where I am. But am I home??

Yes and no!

Despite leaving a phenomenal support system, I am as close to home as I’m going to get. I’m with the family of God. I know cheesy…It is. Lavish love stories often are. I’m kinda like Annie…the “nappy headed” little ginger that God took into His family.  That family is large and expansive and it exists in Bellingham too.

Some days I want a home…friends down the street, family within driving distance, a place for my stuff, a husband. But the reality is…I wouldn’t be anymore at home here (although I, emphasis on I, might be more deluded into believing I was.) In truth, I have been rescued from an empty life (1 Peter 1:18) of hoop jumping, trophy winning, and keeping up with the Joneses (whoever they may be).

Instead of finding ease, I’ve found this path very difficult. And I’m surprised?? (John15:18, 1 Peter 4:12, 1 John 3:13)…I probably shouldn't be.

“In this world you will have trouble…” Check!

So why am I baffled?? Perhaps because I don’t understand the utter beauty of Jesus’ life advice: “BUT take heart, I have over come the world.” 3500 years ago, God gave a people who were landless, slaves standing and a home. And I long for that…stability. But I forget how many generations were promised a home in Canaan that never saw the fulfillment of that promise.

In God’s economy, so many things are backwards: the first are last, the weak are strong, poor and blessed, and the "homeless" find stability in Jesus.  Years ago ONE generation out of many generations of slaves got to experience freedom. Today I wonder what one generation out of many generations of free people is being called to…

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10

Bellinghamster Report

I've been informed, I'm now Bellinghamster...which thrills me way too much (my deep love of the zoo is far too pervasive). 

I am getting settled, although it's been a whirlwind trip. 

I arrived Sunday evening to a home cooked meal served with a 270 degree view of the sound. The family who graciously agreed to host me are Taylor grads, deeply hospitable and just might be located in the most spectacular house in the area:) My room has 2 full walls of windows with a breath taking views...God is rewarding me for 6 land-locked years.

I arrived safely in Bellingham, by the grace of God. My AC compressor froze and was shooting sparks when we started my Jeep up late Saturday night. Jim (my host dad :p) drove it down the "mountain" on Monday morning when my belt broke, throwing out the power steering. Thankfully, I was not driving down the steep and curvy road, and he recovered beautifully! Of course, I learned my lesson!! We only prayed for safe travels...next time (which will hopefully not be soon) we'll pray for the car, as well!

Monday, I jumped in with both feet and met the Church and INN staff. I am so excited to be a part of this family. They are insightful and gifted individuals who God blessed with gobs of talent. They have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome and to orient me to the ministry. Tuesday, our 2nd year INNtern returned and we laid out the talk plans for the first quarter. YES, Justin!! I know what we're speaking about through December...be amazed:) Seth, Stead, and DJ agreed to help me unload my U-Haul and if you thought the packing experience was interesting, the unpacking was an hilarious tail. We arrived to find that my storage unit was up a ramp, down an elevator, down the hall and around the corner from where we could park. The "quick" unpacking job a promised was 2 hours and LOTS trip. I cannot take them enough for helping me and smiling the whole time.

Wednesday, our 4 new INNterns arrived and we all headed off for a 3 day retreat in Birch Bay. It was a great time of worship, prayer, and TONS of laughter. So excited this bunch loves trivia :) And I can't wait to see what God does this year with this team. I am so honored to be a part of it!

Keep us in your prayers.