Catching up

Kellie and I are in the process of intentionally finding a new home. I say "intentionally" because we've been window shopping for years but now we are getting serious about it. The parsonage where we live has been great (especially the low rent) but we've outgrown it by a couple of kids and it's time for more space. We are wanting to stay in the area where I minister and it's been challenging finding those properties that aren't buried too deep in the woods (we would like to have neighbors) or aren't outrageously priced.

One thing that we have learned over the years is that we have to be ready financially to be where we want to be. If there are too many credit card bills, medical bills, school bills, etc., then that will hurt how much we can borrow and how much we can afford each month for our mortgage. Over the past year or so we've worked diligently to get those areas in order and we have taken a pretty big chunk off of what we owe (who knew that having 4 kids would be so expensive?). Our hope and prayer is that we can catch up on where we need to be when it does come time to officially purchase that new home. We may not get everything done before we purchase, but we can knock off a lot before we do.

There are times in my life when I want to draw closer to God but feel as if I need to catch up more on my personal issues first. I convince myself I need to pray more, read my Bible more, kick those bad habits, be more diligent in my own ministry to those that I serve and to the lost, etc. But unlike buying a house, how can I possibly measure if I've "knocked off enough" of the spiritual rust so that I can be closer to God? God doesn't need me to work up to a certain level so that I can draw closer to Him. James 4:8 reminds me of this: "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."

God is ready to meet us right where we are. Yes, we need to be diligent in our spiritual disciplines, but He's ready right now no matter how hot or cold we are. Buying a home takes time and careful planning. But the time is now for us to turn to our God who is waiting to embrace us and make us more like Christ.