Part 8- Purpose of Home

The 8^th Key of Building Home- Our Purpose is found in loving God first.

When building our house, we lived in an apartment with two children under four. I woke up to our little baby in my belly kicking me to greet the day. I rubbed my eyes and groaned as I rolled over, lugging my expansive abdomen with me. I checked the time—5:30 am. I knew my younger two would be up soon. I reviewed today's plans- just like the day before. Breakfast, snack, play, lunch, nap, play, dinner, bath, and bed. Repeat.

In the mundane grind, I struggled with discontentment. I desired validation. It was hard for me to find my worth as a stay-at-home mom. Why couldn’t I be somewhere else doing important stuff for God, like being a missionary doctor to Africa? In my error, I thought that somewhere else was where all the excitement was, and somehow, I was missing out on doing purposeful jobs. Surely, wiping a child’s behind for the thousandth time or scrubbing crushed blueberries on the floor was not the purpose God had given me 5 years before! Though I know this now, the most purposeful job was right in front of me, but I didn’t even see it.

My search for purpose and joy was like a craving for fruit, seeking it in a pile of stones. Frantic, I searched and searched. The thirst for validation, the longing to be loved, and the emptiness inside propelled me forward to keep digging. I was so tired and fixed on the ground that I did not realize I was at the base of a tree. All I needed to do was look up and realize the fruit was not on the ground, hidden in the promises and the pleasures of this world. The food that will satisfy and bring joy comes from above. The Lord encouraged me, “Stop looking down. Look up.”

I sought the Lord for his purpose for my life, and he brought me to a passage in Ezra where Israel was building a different type of house- the temple. It was after Israel had returned from exile in Babylon. The temple was destroyed, and they were called to rebuild. They became very discouraged by the opposition they faced, and they stopped building for 18 years. God sent prophets to encourage them.

The Lord spoke to Zechariah: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice," (Zech 4:9-10 ESV).

God showed me that I was building little temples of God. When my children accept Christ for themselves, that is when God will dwell and partner with them forever. My job was crucial, with eternal implications. I did not need to despise the season of small things, because it has an ultimate purpose. I realized being a mother was more powerful than any daydream that I could ever imagine for myself. We were made for the mundane. Our purpose is found when we put God and his plan for us first. Peace and joy filled my heart at this realization.

No promise or pleasure of this world will bring what only God can bring - lasting fulfillment and joy. Our priority and purpose are to fix our eyes on Jesus and seek a relationship with him first. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  (Matt 6:33 NIV). This is the essence of obeying the first commandment to love the Lord your God with all your heart.

Once you put God first and submit to his purpose for you, then the fullness of joy will come. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.” (Psalm 4:7 NLT). Financial security, health, and relationships are transitory. Seasons change, but God’s love and purpose for you will remain steadfast. Let us find our purpose from the one who has an infinite perspective and our best interests in mind.

The purpose of our lives, the purpose of home, is to obey His command to love Him with all our hearts. Look up to God’s love and pursue it. All other things will pale in comparison to fulfilling the command of abiding in him. Our purpose is not about rules or burdensome tasks. It is about pointing to God to give him the glory and enjoy all that he has created.

In the Bible study portion, we will look at the second way to abide in God: loving your neighbor as yourself. Abiding in God brings purpose and completeness to our lives. Let’s see what God’s purpose is for us as a community.