I know that I look at the world differently, and that’s ok.
I currently find myself in a rental apartment, and believe it or not, it’s a beautiful reminder of some biblical truths. How, you ask… great, I’ll explain:
See, it’s a transitional situation where I’m waiting for my future home to be built; God willing, it’ll be sometime in early 2024. However, in the meantime, I’m in this little apartment, 3 people and 2 dogs in a 3rd floor, 2-bedroom rental. I don’t want this to come off as ungrateful, as everyday I wake up in a safe place, and that’s a huge blessing: I get that. But, it’s not my home. I haven’t lived in an apartment in a while, so this is an adjustment. However, some truths in how we should all live can be learned, right? I need to be a good steward of this little rental, and regardless of my personal challenges, I need to be a good neighbor to those around me.
So, how does this remind me of scripture?
Well, isn’t this world a bit of a rental to those who call Heaven Home? Aren’t we all just waiting for what’s already in the works? Now, that doesn’t mean we live like jerks while we’re here, on the contrary, we need to be on decent terms with the other occupants, and be a good steward of what we’ve been given. I’ve had to tell my youngest a few times already, “take very good care of this place, it’s not ours” I wonder how many of us approach our earthly home in the same manner?
Regardless of your personal opinions on climate, and to be clear I wouldn’t characterize myself as a “tree hugger” but, shouldn’t we be mindful of the gift that this place is to all of us? Shouldn’t we, especially if you call yourself a believer, be good stewards of our earthly homes while we’re, “renters”?
The other reminder I get is, that on the days when the 3-flights of stairs, the short-comings in the kitchen, the design flaws of the apartment complex, and the noise from all of our neighbors gets to be too much; I look ahead and daydream of my future house. It’s like I focus on what’s to come and it makes everything about where I’m currently living, so much more bearable. I know it’s all just temporary. Then, I can choose to see the challenging moments with gratitude, because someday, it’ll all be worth it. Moreover, I’m 46 years-old, waiting 6-9 months for something I really want isn’t a big deal anymore. I know how quickly time goes. As I’ve gotten older, my perspective on time is different. I look at a 6-9 month timeline and think, “heck, I can do anything for 6-9 months.” Now, my kiddos, they see the same 6-9 month timeline, and they feel like it’s too long, too much, too difficult to endure. They don’t quite understand how quickly time goes, yet.
In the same manner, God is preparing a place for those who love HIM and are called according to HIS purpose. This is all just temporary, and in the really dark and lonely moments of this life, I can look at what’s to come. A place with no more tears or sorrow. I can choose to see this world’s challenging moments with gratitude, because someday, it’ll make sense, and I’ll be in my eternal HOME with the lover of my soul. Time? What’s 80-years when your watch is set to eternity? It’s a blink of an eye. But for me, that doesn’t understand eternity, it can all feel like way too long, it’s too much, and way too difficult to endure. As my kids say, “it’s going to take forever” and it can definitely feel like that. But, it won’t.
God knows just how quickly our time will go while we’re in this temporary “rental” and HE nudges us (lovingly) to keep our eyes on what’s to come, to stay focused on HIM, because someday, in our eternal HOME alongside our Savior, it’s going to be glorious. And… our time in the “rental” will be but a drop in the bucket.
As I said, I know I look at the world differently, I pray you do too.