Separation

I must admit that it feels a little weird sitting here in a totally empty house!  Except for an old card table, a couple of chairs and our inflatable bed, our home is now completely void of any furniture, wall decorations and area carpets.  The movers left about six last night and proceeded to their next pick up in Sacramento California.  After that they have two more households to load up in California and then they hope to start off across the country to North Carolina by Saturday.  From our drop off they will then go south to Florida to unload the rest of the households.

This morning as I sat alone at the card table while studying my bible, I came across Romans 8:35 where the Apostle Paul is steadfastly imploring to his readers that NOTHING can separate us from the love of Christ.  He put forth the soul stirring question asking: “What will separate us from the love that Christ has for us?  Can trouble, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, or violent death separate us from his love?”  He went on to state that “The one who loves us gives us an overwhelming victory in all these things.” (Romans 8:35 & 37 God’s Word ©)

The idea of separation got me to thinking about our current move.  As I glanced at the emptiness of our home, I began to realize that even though we are separated from the natural things that makes our home a comfortable and safe abode, that we are NEVER separated from the love that Christ has for us.  The next couple of weeks will definitely be a season of change, a time when the routine of most everything in our lives will be unsettled, and also a time of new beginnings.  But as I meditated on Paul’s assurances this morning, I felt a deep peace in knowing that the foundation which we have established in the good soil of God’s love will still be there as the firm foundation to keep us steady through it all. (See Ephesians 3:17-19)

So even when I walk into the bedroom to get something off my dresser that isn’t there as I did without thinking this morning, I have the peace and joy in knowing that His love and victory for every activity of our lives is still very much present in and around us!  On Sunday the Worship Pastor made the comment that as Christians we always fight from the perspective of the victory that Jesus has already provided for us through His love in us, through us and for us and not from the enemy's lie of defeat.  The People’s New Testament makes the comment concerning these verses in Romans chapter eight that “The love of God is the very foundation of the Christian life.”

In this life we may find ourselves separated at times from some of the things that we depend on to bring order into our daily lives, but the one thing that we can depend on that we will NEVER be separated from is the love of Christ.  Think about that for a moment… day or night, in peaceful times or during rough seasons, that love is the firm foundation that will always keep you in safe harbor.  So I would encourage you to take His outstretched hand and let Him lovingly guide you through this day.  Have a great day, stay in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “What or Whom am I expecting today?”