Wednesday, August 01, 2012

just a house on a hill



realtor: "my client would like to make an offer on your house."

me: "okay, that's great..."

realtor: "i wanted to apologize for not getting back to you with feedback after the showing. there was just one comment that she made...you see, i'm a faith-filled man, a believer and a follower of Christ. my client, however, isn't. she doesn't go to church and she told me she isn't a believer. when i was showing her the house, we saw the scriptures in every room and the crosses on your walls. and when we left, the one comment she made was that she felt a real peace when she was inside your home. the kind of peace that only comes from God."

and i am more thankful for that one comment than i am for the offer on the house. 

we have been praying for an offer for a long time. but for even longer, and until forever, our family prays to be a light in this darkening world. a light that glorifies The Light.


sometimes we are put in dark situations and low places where we are tested to be light and love. armed for a battle and strengthened by sheer faith, we go and "let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven." and then we come back to our home, where we write scriptures on our walls and hang crosses in plain sight. but all we are is obedient...loving the Lord with all our hearts, teaching His ways to our children, talking of them when we sit in our house, writing them on our doorposts and gates. He knows we need this. reminders. unashamed. fuel to our lamps. 


You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. 


we literally went public putting our house on the market, open for others to come any time. we completely trust God to send the right people at the right time. someone from the shadows walked through this, our house on a hill, and in a matter of moments, it was confirmed that our lamp isn't hidden..."it gives light to everyone in the house." she liked what she saw, she liked what she felt, she couldn't deny the light, and she wanted to live there. with the kind of peace that only comes from God.


Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. 
Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. 
Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. 
Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”



*updated to add: this offer did not turn into the sale of our house. and yet i am forever thankful. it was not in vain.