This photo is the view from my kitchen window. :)
In recent conversations, I have been asked what I will miss from being on home assignment in the US and what I am looking forward to as I head back to Germany and my teaching roles at Black Forest Academy.l I began a list and thought I would share it with you along with some of my thoughts on living in the tension between our earthly home and looking towards our heavenly home.
Things I will miss:
- All the people! My family, friends, and supporters! Even new friends! And becoming closer with old friends!
- So many amazing conversations with people!
- My church homes; Faith and Discovery Fellowship
- The Sunday School class at Discovery Fellowship
- Living my brother, Daniel
- Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) in person
- Hanging out on my brother's back deck!
- So much time with God in His Word!
- The Colorado sun!
- Advetnures in the mountains; cycling, hiking, running, and camping (even with moose!)
- So much time for painting!
- Goodwill! So many great puzzles!
Things I am looking forward to:
- Friends I am returning to: Becky (and her family), Crystal, Sarah, Katrina, my colleagues, the BFA community, church relationships here, and more!
- My church here! Neuenburg International Church (NIC)
- My students, making lesson plans, and teaching again!
- BSF - online this year
- Opportunities to speak German
- The women's Bible study that is hosted in my apartment
- Farmer's markets; bergkase (really good mountain cheese!)
- My apartment; my own space
- Those rainy days; While I miss the Colorado sun (especially in the winter!), I do love those rainy days too.
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions- is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2: 15-17
"If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:19
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ," Philippians 3:20
"Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world." John 18:36
"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." 1 Peter 2:11-12
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:2
"'Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.' Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?' Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' John 14:1-6
A year before heading out for my home assignment, I was not looking forward to the transition. The small village of Kandern, Germany, and BFA had become 'home' for me. I was also looking at the real possibility of leaving Messerschmitt behind which was hard to face. I did not know yet, where I would be living in the Ft. Collins or Loveland area or what I would use to get around. When God put those things in place; I think I first decided to bring Messerschmitt with me, then my brother, Daniel, offered to house me, I felt like He was preparing the way. I began looking forward to my time in the States.
Then, fast forward to thinking about coming back! My time in the US has been so sweet! So many incredible people and memories, that it was also hard in some ways to think about returning to BFA and Germany. Yet, God continued to confirm that this is where He wants me. And, as my departure date came closer and I was thinking about all that I had to look forward to, I became more and more excited.
The tension I am blessed to live in between my two homes reminds me of the tension all of us as brothers and sisters in Christ live in. This earth is not our home, yet we tend to get so comfortable here. Our families, our friends, experiences and adventures, our bucket lists, our homes, our stuff often times get in the way and can take our eyes off of our goal, which is Christ. Heaven is our true home. Our gaze should be on our Lord and Savior. Our lives are to be lived in submission to Him and His will. If I were to make a list of things I would miss from this world, it shouldn't have anything listed! But for what I am looking forward to; so many things! Being with my Lord and Savior for all eternity! No more sin, or sorrow, tears, pain, or death! And so much more! There will be a new heaven and a new earth! We have so much to look forward to!
Yet, we are still here and have a job to do. Live lives that glorify God and at the same time, sharing the gospel through our actions and speech with those who don't know Christ. We continue to live in the tension between our earthly 'home for now as aliens' and looking forward to our true home with Christ which is beyond what we could ever imagine!
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God." Revelation 21:3
No comments:
Post a Comment