When we rented a 15th-century manor house in England for two months, we attended different churches and cathedrals most Sundays. We loved the small and very friendly Baptist Church near our home in Droitwich Spa. But it was at the Cathedral in Worcester where the air was filled with what we hadn’t expected. Incense permeated everything. Like a fragrant London fog settling in. I’m not sure how many censers were being waved around the cathedral nave, issuing smoke with a lovely aroma, for this was high Anglican worship. And we’re lowly Protestants. But not so low that we couldn’t love this awe-inspiring and stirring worship service.

Hardly unbiblical. I mean that business about incense. Those of us who are more comfortable with simple, unadorned worship must be careful not to judge other believers for how they worship the Lord. All the ornate frufru comes with deep meaning. Read about the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temple, where worship is filled with symbolism from the outside in, with sounds and smells that strike some of us as rather unfamiliar.

Reading Psalm 141, I come across this–‘O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!’ (Ps. 141:1-2). Incense and of raising hands, too. We low church folk are much too refined for that! But there it is in the Bible. So, be comfortable worshipping your God. Don’t hold back and let the likes of me inhibit you one bit.

For our prayers are like incense to God–rising up to Him, sweet-smelling and all. Their smoke goes everywhere in the heavens above, occupying God’s full attention. And there’s more about incense and our prayers. From that marvelously mysterious last book in the Bible, Revelation–‘And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lord, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints’ (Rev. 5: 8).

Nothing stops the rising smoke of incense. Its pungent aromas permeate the heavens, like our prayers, which come to our God, offered by the hands of His heavenly servants. Our pleas are held dear and doted upon, treasured in golden bowls, symbolizing how precious our heart’s desires are to our Lord.

If so, here’s a thought. Why don’t we pray more? Give back to God what He treasures from His own? To simply please our Lord? Costs us nothing. Only a few moments of our ‘precious time’. Again, why not pray more?

This week, let’s do just that and fill our hearts with the joy of knowing how much Jesus loves to hear from us. And, by all means, spend time with Him, telling Him everything that’s on your heart and mind. He knows, and so loves to hear it all from our lips to His ears. That’s some of what that frufru is all about.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving me. Amen.

We live in a society that expects results. Get ahead, prosper, and thrive. Success at all costs. But when is the price too high, demanding more and more until we reach some breaking point?

We hope beyond hope that money solves all problems. Lurking in the shadows, likewise, we also know that it’s the root of all kinds of evil. How lottery winners, after all the shirttail relatives and self-appointed friends show up looking for a hefty handout, those top dog sweepstake champs wind up thinking more about what they’ve lost than gained, with winning being more of a curse. But I’d be different if I won. Wouldn’t I? You think? Probably not!

How about reasons for following Jesus? Because He’s got lots of goodies for me? A cornucopia of material blessings? Plus, better safe than sorry? Some fire insurance for the final days ahead? A fairweather follower? On good days, but a tad shaky on the others? When I expect life to go my way, and if it doesn’t, then God can hitch a ride on someone else’s highway. You know what I mean? Am I a true-blue, sold-out, regardless of the consequences, disciple of Jesus? How about it? All right, already. I’ll stop asking these endless questions!

Just when you thought things should lighten up, I suggest that we tackle Jeremiah 44. It’s not an easy Bible chapter to fathom. Makes some of us uncomfortable. But such is life. For God’s people have been found unfaithful. Lousy followers. Turncoats. Phonies through and through.

Here’s one example–‘As for the word that you (Jeremiah) have spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not listen to you. But we will do everything that we have vowed, make offerings to the queen of heaven (a pagan goddess) and pour out drink offerings to her, as we did, both we and our fathers, our kings and our officials, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. For then we had plenty of food, and prospered, and saw no disaster. But since we left off making offerings to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything…’ (Jer. 44: 16-18). Read on, there’s more about God’s fickle, two-faced, snake-in-the-grass folk.

What these people own up to is quite a devastating admission–to be His alone, only if the going keeps getting better, and solely on good days. It’s easy to follow the Lord when life is fun and games, everything coming up roses, but what about the other times, which invariably come and knock us over? What then? Should I blame God? Turn my back on Him? Curse the day I was born as if to snub my nose at my Maker?

By the way, how am I doing with all this? My heart wants to stay close to Jesus no matter what, but will I always be loyal and dependable? Here I go again with more questions. But that’s where I’m at. Wondering? Hoping?

But wait a minute. Something seems misplaced, doesn’t it? Maybe I should focus on how faithful the Lord is to His own whose hearts yearn for Jesus alone. About how He’ll never desert us. That He keeps His word, the ultimate promise-keeper. It’s about Jesus more than about me or you. That’s where we should hang our hats.

So, I’m sticking close by the One who never moves away from me. Join me? There’s oodles of room at His feet. Cuddle up a little closer. No matter what hits the fan, we’ll be just fine. Okay? That’s my last question!

Thank you, Jesus, for being my Lord and Savior, regardless of what nasty things come my way. Especially then. Amen.

I love reading 19th-century novels like those by Dickens, Melville, Hugo, Dostoyevsky, and many others. A favorite novella is ‘Silas Marner’ by the English female author George Eliot. I’ve read it numerous times. With more to come, hopefully. It’s a moving story about a man, Master Marner, who becomes transformed from a greedy miser into a loving father of a small child who stumbles into his candle-lit cabin as her mother tragically dies, lying in a nearby snow bank. How does he earn his fortune? By weaving and then burying his earned gold coins under the rustic cabin’s floorboards.

Silas Marner is a weaver. The book’s subtitle is ‘The Weaver of Raveloe’. In those times, weavers often travelled, working from home to home in addition to laboring in their own cottages. My wife weaves. She has a loom. The shuttlecock flies by as she intertwines yarns of varied colors and blends. Some threads contain silk, cashmere, bamboo, and wool. It’s fascinating watching my wife at work. And from this ancient process, the most amazing creations emerge and bless our home.

When I read Psalm 139, I think of Master Marner and my wife, busy at work creating what’s beautiful and needed. Here’s what the psalmist writes–‘For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well’ (Ps. 139: 13-14).

King David, our psalmist today, praises the Master Weaver and Knitter, his God. The One who creates everything out of nothing, merely by uttering a word. He says it, it happens. Plain and simple, though its complexity confounds the sharpest human minds, though sadly it is rarely admitted. I think of our being made of DNA and RNA, their double- and single-helices wound and woven together, which make up the human body. Who can comprehend all of that? Certainly not me. You too?

The Hebrew language in verse 14 reads literally–‘…for I am fearfully wonderful…’ Now don’t get a swelled head. Yes, you may be ‘Mr. Wonderful’, but who created you? A self-made man? All by pulling up your own bootstraps? Think again.

‘Fearfully wonderful’ with awe and respect, love and admiration go deservedly to our Creator God and to Him alone. Or is it a matter of chance and chaos? Natural selection with genetic variation? Evolved that way? Hardly. Au contraire. We’ve been created, each of us, by a Master Craftsman. The One and Only. This is our God.

So remember. And don’t forget! To praise the One who knows what He’s doing. What He’s done and what’s to come. All history is His story. Pause and give the Lord praise for all His fearfully wonderful creation. As in you and me, too!

We praise you, our Lord, for being our Master Creator and Craftsman, who also loves us very much. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Awhile back, I read about how to have a super marriage. It wasn’t some sex manual, but was written about getting closer to each other. By relating better, a husband and wife grow more in love throughout their married life. That’s for me.

I must admit that I’m not much for how-to or self-help books. What I’ve read seems simplistic. Or too much of a formula, allowing no exceptions. As if we’re all cookie-cutter, made from the very same mold. I rebel against such, probably making me a tad moldy!

The writer’s main point is that those with successful marital relationships have leaned in toward each other. They’ve purposely moved closer to each other, not just physically, but by their attention and care. They champion each other. Side with each other. Partial to each other. They listen to each other. Drop what they’re doing when needed. Look up when called, clearing the mind to focus on their spouse. Bottom line, they’re for each other.

How am I doing? Please don’t ask my wife! Also, not to avoid another unpleasant topic, I wonder how all this leaning-in business applies to my spiritual life? My relationship with the Lord Jesus? Here you’re free to ask Him about me, for I know that He keeps confidences better than anyone. Nevertheless, how goes it?

Any relationship with your Lord must involve several elements. Agreed? You can name some. What comes to my mind is sharing with God whatever weighs on my mind and emotions. That’s prayer. Transparent, frank and honest, even though His name’s not Frank!

So, how are we doing? Here’s a warning– is your prayer life all about you and yours? Or even worse, just you? I remember being in prayer groups where, once in a blue moon, the instruction was given to pray only for others. Not yourself. That lasted about two seconds, if that, sad to say. So, get over yourself, why don’t you?

Something else about a good relationship is listening…to Jesus. As recommended, actually commanded, by God the Father–“He (Peter) was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him'” (Matthew 17: 5). Listen to whom? Right! Go to the head of the class! Again, listen to Jesus. But I wonder where we can hear from Him? Any ideas? Stumped you? No. You know!

Then, how about speaking nicely to God? Some pleasant praise. From the bottom of your heart. Not for brownie points or to butter Him up to wangle something out of the Almighty. Instead, share some genuine thanks and praise. Like how the Father speaks to His Son Jesus–‘…this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased…'( Matt. 17: 12). Some nice talk. How about sharing some real McCoy appreciation with your Lord?

Leaning in toward God. Favoring Jesus. Placing our future in His hands without reservation (one of my challenges). Looking beyond what our eyes can see to a firmer faith, though at times we’ll experience a teeter and a wobble. Yes, we may sway in the wind, but Jesus keeps us upright as we lean in upon Him.

Let’s do just that this week. Lean in!

Lord Jesus, I want to be yours no matter what. Amen.

Beware the wash. No, I’m not referring to laundry, as in letting it pile up with accompanying foul aromas wafting in the air. Rather, I’m referring to what can happen in the desert. For many years, Sue and I loved vacationing for a couple of winter months in Arizona, in the desert Southwest of our country. Even in colder months, the temperatures can be quite moderate and even toasty at times. Just right. A nice break from the harsh, chilly rain of the often bleak, dark winter months of Washington State.

When we travelled around Arizona’s arid climate, we would see road signs which seemed strange. They warn us to beware of the wash. Do they know what’s in our hamper back home? Thought we were clean people. Who’d a thunk!

Fret not, for they want us to fear unexpected flooding that washes over the roadway, which annually results in tragic fatalities. People get washed away in a sudden deluge. How? Why? Didn’t they know? Hadn’t they heeded the posted warnings? Seemingly not. Sudden rainstorms, far off in the mountains, way out of sight, come cascading down to a low spot, where unsuspecting folk are happily driving along, unaware and unprepared for the sudden and deadly surge of H2O.

Out of the blue comes disaster. So, watch out. Be prepared. Listen to the weather forecasts. By all means, don’t try to challenge the elements. If possible, head to higher ground. Keep out of the drink. Know better, or possibly you’ll not be known at all ever again.

Reading Psalm 124 is like catching sight of a road sign warning us of a dangerous wash ahead. King David of ancient Israel wrote this magnificent poem. The psalmist warns that if we push God out of our lives, there’s danger ahead. Turn our backs on Him, ignore His warnings, tell Him to take a hike, mind His own beeswax, then we’ll be rushing headlong into double trouble.

David forewarns the following–‘…if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters’ (Psalm 124: 2-5).

Such sobering words. Give us pause. For without the Lord, we’re facing a torrent far worse than death. So, pay attention to what He says. Make your Bible much more than some Dickens novel that you barely took a gander at in Middle School. Dig deep into God’s Word. Spend quality and quantity time nestled in its truths. Wear it out. Don’t worry if it becomes a bit tattered along the edges and starts to fall apart. Buy a new one, grab a pen, and mark it up with interactions and insights from on high.

And keep looking farther up where safety can be found. Take Jesus’ hand and follow His lead, and you’ll find yourself safe as safe can ever be. He’ll never let you go until you reach the Highest Ground of Heaven

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for always taking care of me. Amen.

The Babe. No, not the movie featuring a pig. Not even the Babe of Bethlehem, whose birth we celebrated last month. As a lifelong New York Yankees baseball fan, I’m referring to the Babe, George Herman ‘Babe’ Ruth. Now don’t moan and groan, for I do have a spiritual point to make, and it’s not on the top of my head as you might think!

The greatness of this less-than-morally sterling sports figure has been analyzed in various ways. It seems that his hand-eye coordination was exceptional, almost unparalleled. His eyes and hands could track that round projectile, aimed his way, so that his bat hits the ball at just the right trajectory, and off it flies out of ballparks from St. Louis to Detroit to Philadelphia…at all of them in those bygone days.

So what could this hand-eye business have to do with the Bible, let alone my faith? Good questions. Could it be that you have not read Psalm 123 today? Maybe you should? Then you’d notice the repetition of words that this psalmist uses– ‘Eyes…hand…eyes…hand…eyes…mercy’. There’s a big, fancy word for this poetic technique. I’ll save you the bother of mentioning it.

This echoing method (okay, you wormed it out of me! — anadiplosis) emphasizes something that should not be overlooked or forgotten. Here it’s the ‘eyes’ and ‘hands’ of servants to masters, maidservants to their mistresses, and therefore us to God. We look up to Him. Eyes focused on our Lord. Our gaze fixed on Jesus.

Looking for His helping hands. Not the back of His hand in anger, but His loving and compassionate ones. Our relationship with God supports us as we come to life’s home plate, facing deadly fastballs, curveballs, screwballs, and spitballs to knock us down or strike us out.

When our love for the Lord registers deep within, filling us with gratitude for all God has done and still does, something happens. It’s better than a homerun. Mercy from our Great God and Lord Jesus Christ, clears the outfield walls–‘…so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us…’ (Ps. 123: 2-3).

God’s tender care, compassion, and understanding get pitched our way as we run around life’s bases. His mercy carries us along, every step of the way, until we cross home plate, nestled safe and secure in heaven’s dugout with our Lord and those countless other teammates managed by our Lord Jesus.

So, as it turns out, this week’s devotional is about the Babe of Bethlehem. It should be, don’t you think? Seems like I’m getting ready for the start of a certain sports season!

Lord Jesus, I love you with all my heart. Thank you for making me your own. Amen.

It bothers me every time I hear it. Rankles me to no end. Puts me in a fighting mood. Put up your dukes or else! So, what’s gotten stuck in my craw? Like a burr under my saddle?

Still have no idea? You probably do since you’ve read today’s title–‘Mother Nature?’ You know, you’ve heard it a lot or even said it: ‘Mother Nature’. Who? Well, someone’s mother, I guess. And we know what’s meant. Most likely, no harm intended. A way to keep peace with those who brook no time for God, the you-know-what. Yes, the Creator.

Sorry to break the news, but Mother Nature is a figment of a collective imagination. No such being. She doesn’t exist except in an attempt to pour oil on troubled waters, meeting halfway with those uncomfortable with that certain Mastermind. I’ve decided to never utter that phrase ‘Mother Nature’, keeping God the Creator uppermost in my mind and heart.

Imagine a vulnerable turtle needing outer protection, so, all on its own, it manufactures that hard shell. Clever being, huh? Or a Venus flytrap developing spines that will ambush and ensnare a tasty fly for food. Again, producing this all on its own. Can it do that? Well, can it? You know the answer. Takes a lot of ‘faith’ to believe that they can…all on their own.

But there’s the rub. All creation is just that. Creation. The work of an expert Creator and maestro Craftsman, a true Master Gardener and Ace Planner. All skillfully generated. All on His own.

The Bible makes this crystal clear–‘In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters’ (Genesis 1: 1-2). Also–‘Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it–the Lord is his name’ (Jeremiah 33: 2). And–‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made…He was in the world, and the world was made through him…’ (John 1: 1-3, 10). This is a smattering of what the Bible says about our Creator God.

Let’s break the habit of giving credit where none is due. Or to any philosophy that eliminates the true source of everything, attributing genius more to the creation than its Creator. So, move aside, Mother Nature. Take an early retirement.

Let’s gaze at God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. And bless His superlative creative power, giving praise right where it belongs. To the One who made and sustains everything. All on His own.

Thank you, Lord, for being the Creator of all. My praise to you alone. Amen.

Our previous home was built in 1945. Old when we bought it and lots older when we sold it. We put sweat and tears into that place (especially by my wife), and too much money, which barely came back to us when it was sold, as it had appreciated very little over the twenty years we had lived there. At times, it felt like it owned us! You know the feeling? I hope not.

One persistent and unsightly issue was drainage. We lived on a hillside, which provided panoramic views of the rivers below us, the Pacific Ocean to our west, and even the summit of Mt. Rainier, on a crystal-clear winter day, looking out our kitchen windows. Above ground, we relished incomparable scenery. But it was below ground that messed with us. As in broken pipes.

These were vintage clay ones that ushered our abundant Pacific Northwest rainwater from our gutters and downspouts, flowing over our sloped driveway, to the streets below, and then to who-knows-where. Sounds good, doesn’t it? However, over the years, long before we became owners, the pipes began to deteriorate. The drains collapse, clogging waterways, causing liquid messes to creep into myriad crevices, especially our basement and garage. Try clearing out the clay debris to unclog the passage, and you’ll discover why broken underground pipes are a homeowner’s nightmare.

Spiritually, that’s also true. When sin breaks us down and neutralizes our conscience. Or our will to follow God falters, and we try to hide from Him, maybe fooling those around us, but never pulling the wool over His eyes. No can do!

‘Broken pipes’ occur when we stop praying. Lose confidence that the Lord hears us. Becomes hot air and a colossal waste of time. Or when dust gathers on our Bibles. And we hear less of Jesus’ voice. Or proceed with what we know is dead wrong, roughing it out, telling God to take a hike, so to speak, hoping to get away with it, suspecting that we won’t. And we don’t. Stubborn fools.

Like God’s family in Jeremiah 2: 13–‘…for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.’

Turning their backs on God cuts them off from life-giving water. The wells that they build for themselves break down, empty out, and wind up dry as dust.

Might this be you today? Feeling far from Jesus? Not where you want to be? Any ideas on how to return to Him? You must have some. Think hard. And ask for the Lord’s help. Turn around, and you’ll find Him with open arms, waiting patiently and lovingly for your return…to Him.

On the other hand, if you’re blessed with experiencing closeness to Jesus, then keep on doing what you’re doing. Don’t slack off. It’s too easy to become distracted. Stay focused on Jesus. Keep your spiritual hands digging up the old, busted, junky clay pipes and replacing them with new PVC ones that won’t break or corrode. Pray. Dive into your Bible. Remove what’s causing any breakdown that keeps you even a tiny bit from your Lord.

It’s a new year. Make the most of it. Get that spiritual drainage problem fixed. Don’t say you’ll do it. Do it!

Lord God, help me to live more for you. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

I’ve never been much of a fan of New Year’s Resolutions. Of course, silly ones like giving up prunes. Or vowing not to help anyone in any way all year long. Or vowing not to write any weekly devotionals in 2026. Basically, could you tell that I’m not into those turn-of-the-year pledges? But here’s an exception. You can find it in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 in your New Testament.

For me, two verses stand out, offering good resolutions for 2026. Which ones? 1 Thessalonians 4: 1–‘…how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.’ And then in 1 Thessalonians 4: 10-11–‘But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.’ Did you notice a common phrase? Right. ‘More and more.’

By this, St. Paul is not urging the Thessalonian believers to gather more and more material things. To be collectors of overflowing stuff. To gather possessions galore, requiring more and more self-storage facilities, crammed full of priceless (!) odds and ends.

No. What’s mentioned pertains to our character, our life as Christians. To be ‘more and more’ who we claim to be. ‘More and more’ as true-blue followers of Jesus, with an intent to grow spiritually, and not just for this year alone.

God calls us to be ‘more and more’ obedient to His will. Less and less drawn to society’s latest whims of immorality, letting our lesser impulses rule the roost. We know what that involves, don’t we?

Then, later in 1 Thessalonians 4, we note what positive character traits we need ‘more and more’ of. To live quietly, minding our own business (yes, Paul writes that–check out 1 Thess. 4: 11!). ‘More and more’ working hard, not being a dependent sort or a goof off, being a monkey on someone else’s back or wallet. Not always looking for a handout, but applying our hands to productive work so we can help the truly needy and become givers more than takers.

In this new year, I’m hoping to be ‘more and more’ who I say I am as one of Jesus’ own, knowing that I’ll fall flat on my face more than I’d like to admit. But I pray that my intention will prevail– to be ‘more and more’ as Jesus wants me to be. That my follow-through will not lag too far behind His hopes and wishes, while never being ‘holier than thou’ or some spiritual goody two-shoes. All of which I’m not. Who said ‘Amen’?!

I want to be ‘more and more’ a genuine person of faith, even with warts and all, and not some phony-baloney stuck-up religious snob. ‘More and more’ opening my billfold for Gospel causes. ‘More and more’ with my head in God’s Word and less screen time that may drag my heart farther away from God. ‘More and more’ caring with less selfishness. ‘More and more’ forgiving others and even myself as the Lord does. ‘More and more’…

How’s that for New Year’s resolutions from someone who doesn’t make them?

Lord Jesus, I’d love to follow in your footsteps more and more. I need your help. For your sake. Amen.

When my wife and I retired, we imagined buying a home on the East Coast of the US, while keeping our current one out West, to be nearer family, while enjoying each coast’s seasonal good weather. As we checked out various options, our confusion levels reached astronomic heights, accompanied by no peace of mind. What to do? How and where and when? While visiting my mother in her retirement home and blabbing all about our dilemma, my brother gave some savvy advice. He’s the smarter one of the boys in my family!

His sage words? Rent! Don’t buy. Hang onto your retirement nest egg and let someone else shoulder the worries of home ownership. Go where you want. Stay here. Stay there. Just don’t get tied down. Hmm. There’s an idea.

And that’s what we did. Over and over again. At a 15th-century manor house in England for two months. In Brooklyn, New York, a couple of times. Some condos on Seabrook Island, South Carolina. Then, in the city of my birth, Jersey City, New Jersey, with a lower Manhattan view at sunset from the New Jersey side. Then, to find sun and warmth in winter, we rent in Palm Springs, California. Not forgetting all those rentals at my favorite place, down the shore, on the beach at Ocean City, New Jersey! Rent…rent…rent.

To be frank, some rentals have been satisfactory, even quite fine. Others, hardly worth remembering, which turn out to be quite hard to forget, where I hunt out a terrific bargain, which, as it turns out, proves that the old adage is still true–‘you get what you pay for’.

The last straw came with a vengeance. I won’t say where, but this apartment turned out to be an ant-infested dump, featuring cheap, thin, sheer window curtains as blankets and bedspreads (that’s right), no heat until two weeks after our stay was up, topped off by a television possessed by something evil. This hangout, when pictured on the rental online site, seemed like some other place, the opposite of what we’d fallen into, all for a rock-bottom weekly price, offered by what turned out to be a slumlord.

Oh well, can’t win ’em all. But you can see why my wife handed me my walking papers concerning future vacation rentals! ‘But it was such a deal!’ ‘Good for you. You’re fired!’

I was thinking about this as I read John 14, where Jesus reminds us of our home with Him, over the hilltop, on the other side of this life, where death is defeated, and joy reigns forever. Our home away from home. With no more stodgy rentals. No more dodgy hotels. Or packing up and moving on. Missed connections, lost luggage, security checks, or delayed flights.

For Jesus promises something better, truly the very best. For those who believe in Him, who trust His Word more than anyone else’s, hear our Lord’s promise–‘In my Father’s house are many rooms (I like the King James Version translation of ‘mansion’ better! Don’t you?)…I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also’ (John 14: 2-3).

His assurances should put a smile on my face that nothing and no one can ever wipe off. But do they? Too often, sad to say, I allow little troubles to push Jesus’ good words to the back burner of my mind. So far away that they don’t do me much good.

So I mope around, being overly sensitive to the slights of others, intended or not. Worried about what shoe will drop next. Or what’s in the mail. Or that medical test result. Or whatever troubles will cast ominous shadows into this coming new year.

This week, I’m going to remind myself of what Jesus says in John 14, about that place He’s preparing for you and me. That we’ll be with Him always. And all for good. For the worst day we’ll ever have in this life is the worst day we’ll ever have. Heaven will be just that. And not a smidgeon less.

And I’ll bet, while not being a betting man, that as I focus on my Lord and what He says for a change, my heart and mind will run on better tracks. Less wobbling and waffling, wondering if I should trust God or just tough it out on my own.

No close calls, let alone a derailment or two, falling into prior sins. But more with a steady confidence that Jesus is in front of me and behind me, above and below, and by my side. As close as close can be, knowing that He’s totally trustworthy. And that on His train, He’ll lead me exactly where He wants me to go. Always with Him. Finally, in my home away from home!

Lord Jesus, thank you for your words to live by. Help me to rely on them more and more. Amen.