Back in 1989, when we moved to 36 Jefferson Road, the parsonage that God provided for our family while we worked for Princeton Christian Fellowship, I wondered if I should order stationery. I mused that I had no idea how long we would live in that house and if it would be long enough to use up all the pages lettered with that address. I know I wondered that in part because I had a sense that the house was not ours, and therefore we were less likely to live there long. 35 years later, the stationery is gone, and was replaced multiple times by other supplies for correspondence. We are amazed and grateful for the many years God gave us in that house and struck by how perfect a location it was for us. It was a duplex, so the house taught us to share a driveway and backyard with our neighbors. Because it was a duplex and therefore a “starter” home for most people, we had a total of 6 different families next door. Each time the house went on the market, we were reminded to pray that God would give neighbors with whom we could get along, and gradually I began to pray that we would be good neighbors ourselves. It was spacious enough for us to raise our family, home school, work as campus ministers, and show hospitality. The house was a short drive from our church, as well as walking distance from downtown and from the high school our children attended. What a privilege it was to live there! We look back as a family on the many blessings God poured out on us in that house.
Now I am wondering again if I should order stationery. There is this time a new question about whether or not people like to receive paper letters anymore. I myself am more likely to write an email to a friend. And how long will God give me in this place? This is the first home that Bill and I have owned, but that doesn’t mean it is my “forever” home. My forever home is in heaven. We are only sojourners and stewards here.
For years I have quoted Psalm 90 to my kids on their birthdays. The psalm speaks of humans being dust and our days being filled with “toil and trouble,” but verse 12 was my point on the occasion of a birthday: “Teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom.” I wrote about that in a former post. Now as I write and think about this lovely house that God has given to us in Colorado this year, I am thinking about verse 1: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.”
This house was built in 1979. It is not old! I look out my window and see the tall evergreens and the even-taller mountains. Our neighborhood is rated moderately high in fire risk. We cannot have outdoor fires. We are advised to thin our trees to reduce the risk – “wildfire mitigation.” In other ways our house is in a low risk area. We are at roughly 8000 feet above sea level, so we are on “higher ground.” But we are not perched on a cliff or in danger of mudslide. Nevertheless, we are only safe anywhere because the Lord is our dwelling place.
This house is a gift to Bill and me. We feel it every day. The view of the mountain, the living space, the hot tub (an included bonus), having a garage with a garage door opener (it seems magical every time!) – these are just some of the things that remind me of God’s generosity to us. I hope to never tire of thanking God for these things. One of the sweetest provisions of this house is the space for guests. We had our first guests within three weeks of moving in. We worked hard before their arrival to have the guest room ready to make them comfortable. It is probably the nicest room in the house – it certainly contains the newest and best coordinating furniture! It delights us to be able to welcome friends and family here. We look forward to hosting meals with our neighbors. Because the Lord has shown us tireless hospitality, this is our calling.
Sadly, I know it would be easy to grow weary of hosting, and complacent about God’s provision. And our homes and possessions can become sources of security and idols that eclipse Him. It takes effort to remember what God has given and how wisely to use it. But this is the pathway of joy. When Moses proclaims that God has been Israel’s dwelling place, he is not proclaiming a joyless truth. God promised Israel a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8). God promised his disciples if they gave up houses and families he would multiply to them 100 fold compensation now and in the eternal age (Mark 10:29-30). And God promises an eternal home, where there will be no sickness, death nor crying (Revelation 21:1-4). In this last passage, amazingly God promises to dwell with us in the new heavens and the new earth. Whereas Psalm 90 talks about God being our dwelling place, Revelation 21 speaks of God dwelling with us. I am struck by the mutuality of our relationship with God. Mutuality in relationship gives great joy. Things can never love us back; even a loved home is an impersonal thing. It is only when we share our home and give thanks to God for it that we experience true joy.
We have had a small picture of the kindness of God and the joy of sharing in the last year. Years ago we met a college student in Dallas, who was just a few years younger than us. He appreciated our brief ministry to him and has read our ministry reports from Princeton over the decades since. He is now in ministry in Asia with his family. He owns 80 acres and a cabin in Colorado, in the mountains close to our home. He has offered to let us use it and all its accouterments, including a motorcycle. We went to check it out recently. Bill rode the motorcycle, summoning up talents from his youth! The family have cleared a homesite with a magnificent view. Their gift of hospitality to Bill and me are emblems of God’s hospitality.
Israel’s land was meant to point to an eternal land waiting for those who trust God. Our house is a pointer to an eternal home which Jesus is preparing for those who take refuge in him. As I said it is easy to be blinded to the heavenly things by the earthly. But our Father patiently extends the evidence of his presence, of his love and blessing to us.