Home

A few years ago when I was flying home to Ireland, the minute the plane touched down, I started to cry. Truthfully, it took me by surprise. As I looked at the land through the tiny window, I could see the patchwork of green fields, covered in mist, and I knew I was home.

The need for home and belonging goes really deep in all of us.

When I think of home, I think of my truest identity.  I think of rest, a place where I am known and loved beyond measure, where I belong and I can take a deep breath.

When I encounter God himself, I encounter belonging. I encounter a spirit of adoption and the beginning of understanding my true identity—because He is the one who really knows me and loves me endlessly. God knows who I am and if I let him, he will cause me to love bigger, grow in grace, kindness, strength and carry His glory more than I ever thought possible. This is not a passive thing, this is partnering with Him. It is saying yes and submitting to Him and His ways. 

I love these sculptures by my friend Alec La Casse. I love how the Sculptor imagines what a piece of tree can become and slowly, shapes that into being.  God through His love, His kindness and goodness shapes us, removing pieces that are not really part of our true selves, to become all that we are called to be.

God is love. His very essence is love—He does not act lovingly, it is who He is.  When I encounter His presence, I encounter home.  Love is the place we are called to live, God is our true home. 

Living a life of love and with love is costly—it is not doing whatever you want, but it is being in relationship with the most beautiful kindest person who knows you better than anyone. Through you He wants to bring healing, salvation, beauty, miracles, signs and wonders—but above all He wants you!

God is endless in his love for you, God is limitless in His affection—there are no limits, we will never reach the end. There are always more layers to His love, there are always deeper places to experience.

Welcome home!

Rachel Carroll