It has been said that one of the most beautiful words in the English language is home. Most people have enjoyed at some time or other the comforts of home. From early childhood most of us have lived, first in the homes of our parents, then as we grow to an adult age, we have endeavoured to obtain a home of our own. It is a natural thing to do and it is good to see the young people planning together their future home.
In this issue, it is our intention to discuss our home, the home of you and I, the brethren and sisters of Christ. What is our home ? Is it a true spiritual haven, or is it just like the home of those around us?
Our Lord Jesus Christ had no home of His own. He said the birds of the air have nests and the foxes have holes, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head. It was in the home of people like Lazarus, Mary and Martha that he found the true spiritual haven the world around Him could not offer. What of our home ? Is it a home we would be delighted to receive our Lord and Master in ? Some years ago, at a Sunday School program, one of our young sisters recited a poem which I frequently fondly recall.
“If Jesus came to your house,
To spend a day or two;
If He came unexpectedly,
I wonder what you would do?
Oh, I know you’d give your nicest room,
To such an honoured guest,
And all the food you’d serve Him
Would be the very best.
And you would keep assuring Him
You are glad to have Him there,
That serving Him in your home,
Is joy beyond compare.
But when you saw Him coming,
Would you meet Him at the door
With arms outstretched in welcome,
To your heavenly visitor?
Or would you have to change your clothes,
Before you let Him in?
Or hide some magazines, and put the Bible
Where they had been?
Would you turn off the radio,
And hope He hadn’t heard,
And wish you hadn’t uttered
That last loud hasty word ?
Would you hide your worldly music,
And put some hymn books out ?
Could you let Him walk right in,
Or would you rush about ?
And I wonder if the Saviour
Spent a day or two with you,
Would you go right on doing
The things you always do?
Would you go right on saying
The things you always say ?
Would life for you continue
As it does from day to day ?
What a lesson that poem has for us. Would we change our gaudy clothing, or hide the magazines, or turn the radio or television off ? Or is our home always ready to welcome Him ?
A true Christian home (and let us always remember that size and style has nothing to do with a true welcome), however humble the surroundings, if love is present, is better than a palace where no love is. Visitors should always be welcome, for we should always be given to hospitality.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One