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Our deepest longing is for God Himself
Are You Longing for
Home?
by Kathy
Today’s post is a giveaway! My guest blogger today – Susan Booth –
is a dear friend and the author of the new book “Longing for Home.” Comment below for a chance to win a copy!
Have you ever been
homesick? The deep feeling of “longing for home” resonates with people across
many walks of life.
A couple of weeks ago,
a woman from my spin class posted a picture on Facebook of her former home in
South Africa.
When I commented that it was lovely and she must undoubtedly
miss it, she wrote: “I think I left part of my soul there.”
Surely all of us have
experienced the pangs of homesickness at one time or another.
In today’s rootless
world, people crave a place where they are well-known and well-loved.
Even for those whose
walls reverberate with love and laughter, there will come a time when the
clamour fades, and favorite chairs sit empty.
Are you longing for home?
If we are honest,
sometimes a restless yearning for home even steals its way into our hearts even
when all looks well from the outside.
But what if home is not a
place, but a Person?
Perhaps our vague
yearnings for home point to none other than God himself.
Intriguingly,
Scripture whispers that the eternal God has been our dwelling place throughout
all generations (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:1).
Astonishingly, Jesus
promised that the Spirit of God himself takes up residence in the life of
anyone who trusts and obeys him (John 14:16, 23).
Do you realize what an
astounding statement that is?
Almighty God desires
to make his home in you!
And he invites you to
find your true home in him!
That precious
communion with God begins now—on this side of heaven.
Our deepest longing is for God Himself
What does it actually
look like to make your home in Christ?
Recognize that when
you wake up, he is there; when you lie down, he is there. Weave his Word
through every hour of your day.
Although you may still
face an empty nest or an empty chair at the table, your heart will not be
empty.
The presence of God
himself can fill you with his peace and strength and purpose.
The God of
reconciliation can mend broken hearts and broken homes. He adopts us into his
family and knits us together into his dwelling place — the church.
No matter what you’re
facing today, rest assured that Jesus is with you.
Set aside time to linger in his presence. Heed his invitation: “Behold,
I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I
will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).
As you do, listen for the words you long to hear: “Welcome
home!”
What are some ways you sense the deep longing for your true,
eternal home with God? (Comment below for a chance to win a copy of “Longing
for Home.”)
Longing for Home?
In her new book, “Longing for Home,” Susan Booth beautifully describes God’s
answer to our spiritual homesickness – His presence with us.
Beginning with the creation account and mankind’s once unhindered
communion with God, Booth traces the thread of God’s promise of full
restoration.
This beautiful, unique book will give you a new perspective on
God’s big story and His promises to us. This versatile resource can be used on
your own or with a group.
Each chapter begins with an imaginative re-telling of key biblical
events. Each chapter also includes questions for group discussion and
meditational readings for personal reflection.
“Longing for Home” reminds us of awe-inspiring truth – God Himself
is our true home.
Susan Maxwell Booth serves as the Professor of Evangelism and
Missions at the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary & College in Cochrane,
Alberta, Canada.
Susan and her husband Steve
are under appointment with the International Mission Board of the Southern
Baptist Convention.
They lived in Budapest, Hungary, for seven years before transferring
to Canada in 2000.
Susan has a PhD from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and
is the author of “Longing for Home” and “The Tabernacling Presence of God.”
Kathy
has been teaching the Bible since she fell in love with God’s Word almost 30
years ago. She speaks regularly at women’s retreats and events across
the United States and internationally. The author of eight books, including
five Bible studies, Kathy writes to have something to do while she eats
chocolate and drinks coffee. She has a Masters in Christian Education and a
certificate in women’s ministry from the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary.
In
recent years, God has been teaching Kathy more about His abundant grace.
Through her own relationships and life experiences, she is learning to extend
the grace God has so lavishly poured out on her own life.
On a
personal level, Kathy calls herself a “confused southerner.” Raised in
Louisiana, she has moved with her engineer husband around the U.S. and Canada.
She says “pop” instead of “Coke” and “you guys” as often as “ya’ll.” But she’s
still a southern girl at heart!
Kathy
and her husband now live in north Texas. They have three children, two
sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, four precious grandsons, and one tiny diva
granddaughter. When the family gets together there are also five dogs in the
mix.
https://www.kathyhoward.org/are-you-longing-for-home/
When We All Get To Heaven
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