IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE!

This is one of those verses that I meditated on and the Holy Spirit began to speak volumes. He began to talk about Heaven and what "rewards" we would get!  We think of mansions as huge homes with many, many rooms that only the very wealthy reside.  In our day, images of the skyscrapers come to mind as well for me....the lobby all the way up to the penthouse.  The wealthy reside in those also.  The neat thing about Heaven, is that it isn't the value of wealth that determines our place of residence in the City of God!  Just think of the extreme poverty in Africa and Haiti and others. Those poor souls may surprise us in Heaven! We may be shocked at what we think we deserve and what we shall actually receive!!

Rewards come to mind.  Jesus said some would get 30, some 60, and some  a hundredfold. Obviously not the same for everyone.  What did He mean by that?  I liken it to "you get what you give"!  Our faith journey is determined by us-- not our circumstances.  If going to church and thinking about God only at Christmas and Easter is all you need...with minimal investment...why would you be upset that your place of reward offers a small cottage? Would you be upset if your neighbor was given a beautiful suite of rooms in a lavish mansion?  You know, the fellow that you rolled your eyes at because he wouldn't go to the strip club with the guys, or the woman who actually said she wouldn't go see Magic Mike at the movies?  Heaven, everyone is saved!  Not everyone gets to the penthouse!  

What is the difference you say?  I tend to think of it as....I may be introduced by the "doorman" into the lobby....staring at the beautiful scenery and enjoying the music....but my "clearance" won't allow me to go up to see my neighbor with the suite of rooms on the sixth floor.  The neighbor can go from his floor and visit everyone on the other floors below...but he cannot go up to the penthouse either.  The family in the penthouse can go anywhere in the building because all the floors are below him. Soooo...maybe you don't want to see that neighbor and who cares about a penthouse anyhow?

What if your child is up in the penthouse...and you can't go to them...but if they want to see you ...could only come down to visit?  Perhaps, your grandparents are on the 10th floor...and you are in the lobby...you have missed them terribly and desire to see them now.  You cannot go where they are...they can only come down to you.  You are happy, you are saved, you are blessed...but you are not on the same level as others you wish to be with!  Would God do that, limit us?

It's not about limits as much as how much you have been able to grasp, to understand, to develop.  A baby is beautiful but has no language skills, the toddler is precious but cannot do Algebra, the high school Freshman is striving and achieving but is not the teacher, the teacher knows enough to educate but is not on the genius scale with the incredible IQ.  Your journey is going to take you down many paths and reveal wondrous things...but if you are too busy to take in the scenery, or too distracted to hear all the music and sounds, or too lazy to work and build on the way---you are limiting yourself!  This is not to say that only church -going people who volunteer for every ministry is guaranteed the penthouse...its not about "works" in the world as much as "works in the heart".  How much have you sought God? How much have you tried to incorporate His Teachings into your daily life?  Does the world know you are a Christian? Or is it a "personal" thing?  It is a personal thing...but your actions will reveal  how your personal faith affects your life.  

So when I examine myself for Lent--there is consideration about where I may find my reward...am I doing enough to get by?  Am I going to see loved ones I miss?  Am I going to see the Apostles?  Am I going to given the panoramic view in ecstasy or a narrow window?  The Angels are ranked by degrees...the Seraphim are closest to God's Throne...the " burning ones"...how bright will my glory be...a simple light in a closet or a blinding planet like the sun!!