Home part 1
A few days ago I said I was going to Rant about the Love Slave. But then my mind did what it does and went in a completely different direction. But I still want to explore this, because I think it's important that we understand that the grass is NOT always greener on the other side. Sometimes the best place you can be... is home. And home is where your heart is. Home is where you hang your hat. Home is where they HAVE to accept you, because home is family. So look at Deuteronomy 15:16-17 in the NLT, "But suppose your servant says, 'I will not leave you,' because he loves you and your family, and he has done well with you. In that case, take an awl and push it through his earlobe into the door. After that, he will be your servant for life. And do the same for your female servants." Ok. Context. When the people of Israel had servants, they were required to let them go free after six years of service. The seventh year representing the Sabbath, right? The day of rest? But what we see here is someone who sold himself into service--a slave--who found out that it's better in his master's house than anywhere else. We're going to look at a similar picture later on in this Rant series. And anytime the Bible repeats itself... you know that's important. So we have this fella who has a chance to leave. But he doesn't want to. Because he loves his master. He's done well where he's at. Listen, I always say: If you want something different DO something different. UNLESS you're building something. In which case... stay the course. I think sometimes we want change for change's sake. And that's not always a good thing. I do believe more is lost by indecision than wrong decision. And I do believe fortune favors the bold. But I DON'T believe in doing something just to do it. I think we should do things on purpose, for purpose, and by purpose. I try to teach my son to always have a reason for doing the things he is doing. So this servant isn't making the decision to stay just to stay. And he isn't doing it out of fear of what's out there. He's doing it for love. And I 100% believe that is the best (perhaps ONLY) reason you should do anything. Do it because it's in your heart to do it. Do it because you are letting your heart be your guide. I've heard it said that the best way to judge a decision is whether or not it's a Kingdom decision. And the Kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy. If a decision fills you with righteousness, peace, and joy... you're probably ok. If you're doing what you're doing because love made you do it... that's a safe place to be. So just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD. Our servant here COULD have left his master's house. But he was happy where he was. Content. He loved his master. He didn't want to leave. And that's ok. Because the grass is NOT always greener on the other side. Sometimes, you're right where you need to be. And, as we like to say, it came to pass not to stay. So if you're happy where you are right now... stay there. For right now. And then, if you need to, reevaluate later on. Tomorrow we're going to talk about the awl, and nailing the ear to the door. It's pretty awesome. Don't miss it!