Well, obviously, there was something about it that wasn't perfect. Our circumstances are changing—we grow older every day and our bodies weaker. Taking care of a large property with very little power equipment had become more and more difficult.
And then someone might ask, "If this new place is so imperfect, why did you buy it?"
No, it doesn't have beautiful flowers. Yes, it is a tiny yard with neighbors you can shake hands with out the windows--well, almost. Yes, it needs a lot of work. But you see, our priorities have changed. We are 5-6 minutes from a son and his family. We are 7-8 minutes from church. We are 10-12 minutes from another excellent eye specialist. An ambulance can probably get here in 2-3 minutes. That's what counts these days.
Priorities make what is unacceptable in one circumstance, acceptable in another. And that is why it is so important that a Christian have his priorities in order. God never promised an easy life. Jesus reminded us to "count the cost" before making the commitment to Him. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2Tim 3:12). If you don't understand that going in, you will never last when life becomes difficult.
We sing a song with the title of this series, but take a moment now and ask yourself, when I sing that song, do I make a hypocrite out of myself? Does my discipleship matter more than where I live or how I live? Is it more important than who likes me and who doesn't? If I lose everything for the Lord, can I live with it joyfully? For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one (Heb 10:34). Do we have the strength and spirituality to do that? If not, then maybe our priorities need a second look—a long one.
This move has made us think a little harder, change a little more in that direction. No matter where you live in this world, it is still just a motel stop on the way home. Treat it that way and your life will be so much better in the long run.
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ (Phil 3:8).
Dene Ward