Our Extended Stay

Before COVID-19, my son-in-law traveled often and stayed away for most of the week. During his especially long trips, my daughter would book an extended stay hotel for him. Usually, they weren’t the best, but the room was equipped with a small kitchenette and other necessities to live there temporarily.

It wasn’t meant to be home, or even like home, but it sufficed.

Recently, my pastor spoke about this world being like an extended stay for followers of Christ. It is adequate but not home. He said, “We are not homeless, we are homebound.”

But what does that mean?

Currently, I am really, really, comfortable. I live in the terrace level of my son and daughter’s home with my husband, and standard poodle, Sam. My job allows me to stay home and not fight Atlanta traffic. I have access to a pool, fireplace, jacuzzi, and most importantly, my family. Three little grandchildren live just a few steps away. It seems like heaven.

But it’s not. There are still sad things in this world. Bad things. Terrible things. I think of my brothers and sisters in Afghanistan. My heart goes out to them as I kneel before the Father on their behalf.

I cannot imagine.

Then there are part of God’s people who have lost a loved one to COVID, or an accident, or a drug overdose. Some who have been abandoned by a spouse or parent. What’s a believer to do in this extended stay on earth?

I think the book of Philippians has a few answers.

LOVE and LIGHT and LIVE

Paul wrote, “And this I pray that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment so that you may approve the things that are excellent in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ.” Philippians 1:9–10

Paul was in a Roman prison for this part of his extended stay. Yet he calls on believers to be filled with love. And that love is rooted in knowledge. I call it a gospel knowledge. Understanding the grace and mercy of our Lord demands — explodes with not only love for Him, but love for all.

He goes on to say this gospel knowledge of unconditional love should result in a light to this extended stay world. Approving excellent things, not wasting our time with, as C.S. Lewis put it “mud pies.”

And live. Heartache or persecution or fear could stop us from really living. It didn’t stop Paul. The book of Philippians is based on joy — knowing that we are not home yet.

I am thankful for that.

I know it’s easy to say for me. Right now. Not for my Christian family in Afghanistan. So, I love them by praying. I tell others the gospel truth. And I look for the day when I will be truly home.

What about you? Could I pray for you, friend? Drop me a line or send a text. It would be a joy to unite my heart with yours.