A Home for Christ

So be very careful to love the Lord your God. 

✙ Joshua 23:11 (NLT)

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Like a lot of Tolkien fans, I have an idea of what real homeyness is... and it's not necessarily Rivendell, "the last homely house east of the sea." For all its comforts, Rivendell is still quite grand and filled with grand people. No, real homeyness is found in a hobbit hole. It's snug and friendly. It's filled with provisions for hospitality, and the least among us feel coziest sitting by the fire there. If I want to picture my heart as a home for Christ, I suppose it's the image of a hobbit hole that comes to mind first.

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That's what I imagine. But what's the state of my heart, really? Maybe it's not cozy and ready for visitors (or a Visitor). Maybe it's cold and empty. Maybe it's comfortable only for a hoarder. 

I don't think Christ shuns anyone's heart. If it's ready for him he'll make a home for himself. If it's not, he'll help make it warm and cozy, or he'll help us rid it of all that doesn't belong there. Either way, no matter who we are or what state we're in, God loves us and sent Jesus to dwell within and among us.
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Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

✙ John 14:23

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Prayer after thinking about today's devotion:

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God of all hope and joy, open our hearts in welcome, that your Son Jesus Christ at his coming may find in us a dwelling prepared for himself.

✙ A New Zealand Prayer Book

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After your own thanksgivings & petitions, close with the Lord's Prayer.

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Text selection ©2021 Evangelische Brüder-Unität. All scripture quotations from the New Revised Standard Version, unless otherwise noted.