The Move

1 Chronicles 16:34 – Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! (ESV)

Leviticus 19:34 – You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. (ESV)

Our son is now unemployed and homeless. A recent university graduate with big dreams and empty pockets, he was facing one of life's crossroads: return home or stay put — security versus opportunity. The scenic university town had captured his heart, and so, he courageously chose to stay put to try to find his place in this world — a scary venture indeed. Building on a foundation of good friends in a good community, he'll make a go of it. So, after a week of packing up his belongings and hauling them away for temporary storage until he lands a job, we hugged him goodbye and left him standing alone to face his uncertain future. He will undoubtedly move many times more during his lifetime, but for now, he has found a place to call home.

Moving is a part of life. We move around for school, for work, for love, or solely for the sake of change. Sometimes, we move intentionally, and sometimes, we are swept away by circumstances beyond our control. The Bible is full of stories about God's people moving from place to place. Adam and Eve were evicted and moved out of the garden of Eden. As an infant, Moses' first move took place alone in a reed basket on the river. Moses' last move lasted forty years in the desert with a huge mass of people. Abraham moved many times during his lifetime. His first move took place while he was still living with his father. His next move was at God's instruction. One move was under armed escort. God's people move about for all sorts of reasons.

We should be seeking God's direction for all aspects of our lives, including where, when, or whether to make a move, but sometimes circumstances beyond our control thrust us into a new environment. Regardless of where we move or what possessions we take with us, God will use us and wants us to bloom where we are planted. A home and a life aren't built on the things we acquire or the space we inhabit, but on love. If home truly is where the heart is, then home can be wherever we are if God's love is its foundation. Our deepest need is our spiritual connection with God. So, whether we move to an apartment or a prison cell, to a shelter or a mansion, with family or on our own, we have all that we really need if we have given our lives to Christ. For our heavenly Father, who loves us deeply, is always at our side. With His love in our hearts, we become His ambassadors, carrying the fragrance of His love with us wherever we go.

2 Corinthians 2:14 – But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. (ESV)

So, the next time life's circumstances demand a move, don't fret, but boldly and joyfully go to the place that needs to experience the sweet fragrance of God's love, and freshen the place up!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for infusing us with Your love. May we boldly and joyfully spread the sweet fragrance of Your love to others as we move through this day. Refresh and restore those who are downtrodden and burdened by the cares of this world. Wrap Your loving arms around those who are in need of Your loving touch today. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.