Finding Purpose in the Waiting
Not only did I start this page to share tips on decor and organization, but also to share what I’m learning about the home biblically.
As a young adult, there is so much to know about growth. I think your twenties are when you truly start to see the growth and changes happening to you and around you. You start to notice aging, marriage, children, buying a home, debt, all of these belonging to the term “adulting”… They all become possible realities in your twenties, and for some, like myself, we wrestle with the waiting, hope, and anticipation of what’s next. In this post, I mention “the waiting” quite a few times… No matter what you’re waiting for, a new house, new phase of life, or just waiting for Jesus, READ ON!
I was doing a study this morning on the “Fundamentals of the Faith” by John MacArthur and one of the questions was about the return of Jesus: “How can you best prepare for His second coming?” Now the context of the chapter has nothing to do with stewarding the home, but the answer to this question can apply to common situations as ours. 2 Peter 3:14, 17-18 says (14) “Therefore, my dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace.” (17-18) “...be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your stable position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Simply, in the waiting, we do the best we can to learn and grow in our faith. 2 Peter 3:14 caught my eye in the last few words….”at peace”. I’ve gained an understanding that having a home that glorifies God brings an enormous amount of peace in other parts of life. And to have a peaceful home, a resting place, does wonders for our mental health. Have you ever heard the saying “the status of your room reflects your mind”? For example, if your area is consistently cluttered, or maybe it just needs some love all around, then your mind may be on a similar path! Friends, this is no accident. Our homes hold strong biblical meaning, Isaiah 32:18 says “Then my people will dwell in a PEACEFUL place, in SAFE and SECURE dwellings.” They are also places to be hospitable, to welcome others, and to share the gospel! So how will we meet all of these requests of the Lord if we do not hold it in a place of value and importance?
My friends, this is where the waiting comes in. For those of us who do not have houses yet, maybe you’re in a college apartment living with friends, parents, or even just starting out with your first house as a new family, we need to prioritize the time God has given us to LEARN about how to be a good steward in our families, and homes. I know from experience that we try to find purpose in the best furnishings, decor, and textiles for our homes. Keep in mind, you do not need to have your own house, or have the best furnishings in it to be a good steward. To be a good steward is to honor God, knowing your house and situations (whatever they may look like) are blessings from Him, and THAT, my friends, is where we find the purpose and fulfillment. Through the Lord!
How I’m Learning:
Lean on your community! As Christians, we are called to have mentors and mentees, see Titus 2. I have found spectacular mentors and I am so thankful to have them. I learn so much from these wonderful ladies, just by watching how they live for Christ and welcome/serve people in their homes. I highly recommend that if you are in the same situation as I, waiting and learning, that you find like minded people that INSPIRE you. There have been countless, small skills that I have learned from them. (e.g. the absolute best way to fold towels or fitted sheets) But also large ones, such as organizing the home and how to host a group of people smoothly and on the fly!
No matter your situation, strive to learn and improve, “to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” All else will fall into place.