Caught Between Two Places

It happened to us recently . . . We were caught between two places. Moving out of our friends home, where we had been living for nearly nine months, and into a new house in a village. On the one hand we were trying to get the old place ready for our friends to return. At the same time we wanted to get established in our new home. So I would patch up the paint in some rooms at the old place, and come home to a growing list of stuff to do at our new home. Then there was a couple of days ago when we cleared out all of the shelves and brought all our books home. When they arrived, there was nowhere to put them. I had to put up some new shelves, so they had somewhere to go. When we worked on one place, the other would fall behind.

Jesus says some confusing things about the kingdom. The statements appear a little paradoxical . . .

He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.

Matthew 10:39

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Matthew 16:25

But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.

Matthew 19:30

So the last shall be first, and the first last.

Matthew 20:16

But when you introduce the idea of there being two places, it is not so difficult to understand. There are two places – The world and the Father’s house. They are in opposition and in competition. We have to choose. If we want to save our lives and prosper in this world, we will lose out in the other place. If we strive to be first in the kingdom, it will take all of our attention and the world’s recognition will slip from our grasp. We can dwell in one realm or the other. They are at war and we cannot sit on the fence. Where do you want to save your life? Where do you want to prosper and succeed? The question is not whether we can be first. The question is where we will pursue greatness and recognition. We are all caught between two places, just as much as I have been lately with our move to a new house. The Father longs to welcome us home and prosper us in his house. The world seduces us to spend all our energy and lifeblood in pursuit of its praise. It’s as frustrating as that. We just have to choose!