Finding Home!

March 2, 2023

Finding Home!

You have heard the saying, “A house is not a home!”  We are about seven months into a new house and it is just now beginning to feel like home.  I have been reminded that the experience of “home” just does not happen; home requires effort on my part.

In Matthew 4:13 we hear that Jesus “…left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali…”  Jesus left the house and the town in which he grew up.  Then, Jesus made His home in another town.  Making a home requires effort even for Jesus.

The same is true in finding a church home.  We normally attend two different churches every weekend…sometimes three.  We have been looking for a church that feels like family…that feels like home.

I have learned that finding a church home is not just about what the pastor does or says, not just what the volunteer leaders do or say, or what the Welcome Team at the door do or say.  Although each of those things matter, finding a church that feels like home requires some effort on my part.

We have attended all sorts of churches in our journey these last several months.  There have been…

…mainline denomination churches, non-denominational churches, and new denomination churches 

…very large churches, medium size churches, and very small churches

…churches on major thoroughfares and churches almost impossible to find

…churches that call the day after you visit and churches that never follow up 

…churches with friendly people who greet you and churches where no one who greets guests

…churches with a very extroverted pastor and churches where the pastor seems afraid of people

…churches where the music is incredibly inspiring and churches where the music is an after thought

I could go on and on, but you get the idea; there are all kinds, sizes, and shapes of churches out there.  And yet, not one of those churches is perfect.  If I want to find a church that feels like home, there will be some effort and some patience required of me. 

I will have to attend regularly.

I will have to pray for the pastor and the people.

I will have to let people know I am new.

I will have to take some steps to get involved in a small group or in serving.

I will have to make a commitment to the church as my spiritual home.

It’s not always easy. 

We have been to churches where we love the music/worship time, but the preacher does not communicate well. 

We have been to churches where the music/worship is not done well, but the preacher does an excellent job. 

We have been to churches where the worship space is up-to-date, well lit, and comfortable. 

We have also been to churches where the worship space is badly worn, dark, and uncomfortable. 

It’s difficult to find the right mix so that a church feels like a spiritual home where we can be in the presence of the Lord God and with the people of God. 

The good news is we have narrowed our search to two churches.  We attend one on Saturday evening and one on Sunday morning.  One felt like home the first week we walked in the door.  The other has come to feel like home over time.

The search for a spiritual home (church) is not always easy.  But, making the effort to find a church where we can be at home with the Lord God is the desire of Christ for each one of us. 

In Revelation 21:3 we hear; “See, the home of God is among mortals.  He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and be their God…”  The Lord has made His home on earth in the Church.  A church is where you and I can experience the presence of the Lord with us. 

The church is where we will discover our spiritual home.  If you have not been to worship (in-person) for a while, I encourage you to give one a try this week.  Maybe the Holy Spirit will lead you to find your spiritual home. 

When that happens, you will find yourself in the presence of God and your heart with be filled with delight in the Lord.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug