The Big House

I was reading an article in the Smithsonian Magazine the other day that described “One man’s historic mission to rediscover every former slave dwelling in America.”  As part of his journey the author has been traveling around the southern states and spending nights in many of the ramshackle buildings or maybe better termed “shacks” that housed the slave laborers during the Civil War era.  The author made a comment that I recalled as I read from Hebrews chapter three earlier today.  He wrote that “Americans tend to focus on the ‘big house,’ the mansion and gardens and neglect the buildings out back.” 

I got to thinking that as Christians, we sometimes tend to do the opposite to this writer’s discussion.  We will many times focus on the “buildings out back” and not enough on the ‘big house’ that we are supposed to inhabit as God’s children.  Hebrews 3:6 reminds us that “Christ is a faithful son in charge of God’s household. (and) We are his household…” (God’s Word ©)  In 2 Corinthians 6:18 Paul relates God’s promise to us when He declared that I “will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters…” (KJV)

As sons and daughters we are supposed to reside in the family mansion, not in the servant’s quarters out back.  Understand here that I am not making any comments on the slavery issue that is a black spot in our country’s history, but only using the magazine article as an example of our rightful place as sons and daughters of God and not as servants.  Hebrews 3:5 says that Moses, the great Old Testament leader and man of God, was a “faithful servant in God’s household.” (God’s Word ©)  But Jesus came to this earth, suffered and died, and then was resurrected and ascended into heaven in our place, so that we in New Testament times could become His brothers and sisters and live as full-fledged members of His household… in “The Big House” with all its benefits and blessings! 

Now that’s something to hold you head high for!  Instead of being embarrassed about your faith, rejoice in the honor you have of living in the “The Big House” on the block.  Be proud of your new heritage and remember that God’s house still has many empty suites that need to be occupied.  So why not share your good fortune and go out and invite others to move up to the “The Big House” with you, living as faithful sons and daughters of the Almighty God!

Have a great weekend.  Stay in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting today?” 


PS:  Just to let you know... I am going to be taking next week off so that we can spend time with our son visiting from Oklahoma.  Have a great week and I'll see you all again on October 14th!