"A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious rubies and valuables." Proverbs 24: 3-4
A house built by wisdom. Through knowledge it is filled with valuables. These valuables are not material things. Rather they are something of eternal value. Godliness, character, wisdom and knowing the peace and love of God. These valuables will not rot or rust. Building a strong home based on virtue, learning and digging into the deeper things of life is lasting.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The
rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against
that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the
rock. But
everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into
practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27
A home is not built up by the fact that it is custom made or how many electronic devices and tv's reside there. The cars and gadgets and toys within the walls of our home hold no value. The home is built up by the people in it seeking God and the love of family. Many homes today are built upon money and materialism. The goal in the home is to have it look as nice as possible while everyone is separated into their own world's on their own gadgets and devices. No one spends real, deep and true time together. Words of life, God, love and encouragement are not spoken. The devices and gadgets and facebook likes and time spent online do not take the place of the loving family unit and the loving interaction God designed us for.
Our home has lasting impact. Though children may grow and leave and change happens, the memories and lessons learned have built them up inside. They take from their home environment and it spreads out into the world. This is why home is so important, the lessons of home ripple out into the world.
Seeking God's wisdom and knowledge takes time, work and diligence. It takes a conscious decision to build up your home. The easiest thing to do is to acquire material things and allow that to fill the home. It's easy to go out and buy the latest and greatest technology has to offer. That takes investment of money. To fill our home with good books, good music, the word of God, and breathe love and life into our homes takes daily work and it takes time. Setting the atmosphere of peace, learning and life takes real work in today's world.
Does the atmosphere in our home reflect worldliness, materialism, humanism, entertainment media, or does the atmosphere smell of the fragrance of Christ?
"For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For
we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of
sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in
Christ." 2 Corinthians 2:15-17
Investing in those we love takes being fully present with them. It's easier when we are tired and weary to "escape" into our computers and devices and tv. It takes being present in the moment with those we love to make memories and spend time with each other. Making the effort to make times of connection, times that are technology and media free is so important. We are able to slow down and make these memories and speak these words of love and life when we are fully present and disconnected from distraction.
"Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16
The people make up the home. Not the money, possessions, or perfect decor. The home is built on the memories and God's love. God gave us our family to invest in. May we make wise use of the time and the home He has blessed us with and may the presence of Christ in it go out into the world.
“Home wasn't a set house, or a single town on a map. It was wherever the people who loved you were, whenever you were together. Not a place, but a moment, and then another, building on each other like bricks to create a solid shelter that you take with you for your entire life, wherever you may go." Sarah Dessen
“Home is the nicest word there is.” Laura Ingalls Wilder
“Home is people. Not a place. If you go back there after the people are gone, then all you can see is what is not there any more.” Robin Hobb
“A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.” George Augustus Moore
"As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home." Luke 10:38
"When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home." Mark 2:1
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