No Place Like Home

“I’m leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So, don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT

In the beloved children’s classic, “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy’s boredom with farm life leads her mind to stray to a place far off, where dreams come true. Thanks to a Kansas tornado, her wish is granted. However, the yellow brick road inevitably leads Dorothy down a path to disappointment and self-discovery. She learns that the infamous Wizard can’t live up to his hype, and Oz is certainly no promised land. Ultimately, she longs to return to the simplicity of life in Kansas. 

When life doesn’t live up to our expectations, we can feel out of place and become discouraged, just like Dorothy. That’s why we need to know our home address. We’re not orphans. We’re not homeless. We have a seat at the King’s table and a place in His heart. 

Friends, Jesus left us a gift before He went to the Cross. 

“I will not leave you comfortless as orphans: I will come to you. I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So, don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:18,27) 

The gift is Himself! 

Peace is not the absence of problems but rather the presence of God in your troubles. We often wait for skies to clear up and storms to stop before we finally find peace. But Jesus is teaching me that peace is not the absence of something. Rather peace is the presence of Someone. Peace is seeing Jesus during my storm. 

Ultimately, it’s the awareness of Jesus’ unfailing presence that brings us true and lasting peace during the storms of life. 

Friend, Jesus is calling you and me back into His presence. For it is only in His presence that we find true rest, peace, and comfort. Peace is not a place; peace is the Person of Jesus. 

Beloved do you know your address? Where do your heart and mind reside? 

Often, we’re more preoccupied with our street address, our career address, our financial address, and every other pursuit, than we are with our spiritual zip code. 

Beloved, where do you live? Home is where the heart is. Dear friends, unlike Dorothy, we don’t need a rainbow to leave the clouds far behind us. We don’t need to wish upon a star for our dreams to come true. His presence is our forever home. His peace is our hiding place. You’re probably wondering, how does one come into the presence of Jesus? Very simple friends, all we need to do is go to His Word and spend time with our precious Lord Jesus. Beloved, remember