“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” (Psalm 24:1a NLT)
During normal holiday times herds of people do a lot of traveling and visiting at the homes of relatives. I know I said normal holiday times, but even in the midst of the present day pandemic, based on the reports over the national news, the number of people traveling without a reason of necessity, such as a family emergency; a number of people ignored the recommendations of health specialists and scientist to stay off the airways and highways and they behaved as if we already had what they refer to as herd immunity.
Whether visiting during the pre-pandemic or during the pandemic, people had to change their behaviors to respect the rules of the house. Rules such as “Take your shoes off and leave them by the door,” “Remove your hat while you are in “my house,” Those kind of words are not to be spoken in my house,” and “There are hours for which young people can be on their computers.” Oh there are other rules at the houses people visit. You have heard them, “No rough housing in the house,” even though you say you are just playing. “If you use the last roll of toilet paper, or even see that there are only three mini-sheets left, put a new roll on the toilet paper holder!” Have you heard this one, “Why do you assume it’s alright to sit on your feet on my new couch,” or in some cases “my old couch?” Let me back up. That one about the toilet paper takes away the strategy employed by some folks in their own homes, doesn’t it? Oh let’s not forget this one; the one used when you go into the refrigerator or the cabinet where the snacks are kept without first consulting with the heads of the house, “We don’t do that in this house. You got to ask me first!” Of course there is one I like, “No smoking and no drinking here! Take your wrinkled up brown bag back and your dark brown bottle back to the car and if you just need to smoke, go outside…away from the house!” You need to remember this advice, “Don’t forget where you are!”
Well after the holiday on which you visited is over, I believe the advice I just gave you is still applicable and should still govern our behaviors on non-holidays. After all wherever we live, work, on any day, nothing is not really ours. The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in. Therefore, don’t you think that it’s only right that we live according to His rules; rules that are for our good and not for bad? Don’t you think we should respect the standards He has established? These standards do not always start with “You shall not,” but they also start with, “You shall.”
I’m sure your visits go better when you don’t forget where you are, right? Well, on your temporary stay on this earth, your visit down here, things will go better when you don’t forget where you are. Think of it this way, we are the created, blessed to live in a place that belongs to the Creator. If you need help with how to live in this place, called earth, He has given us a manual. It’s called the Bible. Keep it nearby and remember you need to get in it every once and awhile. Let me tell you one more time as you start your week: “Don’t forget where you are!” Be blessed!
“Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.” (Psalm 119: 1-2 NLT)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King