A City to Come...

How refreshing it's been these past two weeks as Rachel and I have had time to settle into our new apartment and prepare for Baby's arrival. We've enjoyed the relaxed pace after such an intense year of study. We're very thankful for this respite!

But God is good to not let us over-enjoy these pleasures such that they become idols in our lives. I was reading an email today that I receive from Voice of the Martyrs about the Christian community in NE India. In 2008 there was a lot of violence in Orissa State and many Christians lost their lives at the hands of Hindu extremists. Others, nearly 100,000 were internally displaced as their homes and villages were destroyed. (This is a good place to ask why we never heard about this in the regular news sources!?) Two years later nearly 50,000 of these believers are still displaced and homeless - monsoon season is coming. Take a moment to pray for their physical provision and spiritual perseverance.

I was reminded of a dear scripture from Hebrews 13:

"So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. "

Oh friends, let us enjoy every gift our Father gives, enjoy it fully and happily - but let us never idolize these things. May we too learn that this "city" is not our true home, we look for the city to come when our King descends and establishes the Kingdom. Let your Kingdom come Lord!