This week we Coelhos marked 10 years of living in Austin. That milestone has come with some reflection on the ways Central Texas has become home (mostly our sense of community and deep friendships) and the ways it does not (we still miss the ocean and mountains of Western Canada). 

A sense of place and rootedness is something for which many of us long. I was reminded of this while listening to this podcast on our broken immigration systems. Some of us, rooted generations deep here in the heart of Texas, have it in spades. Others of us, the children of immigrants or transplants of another kind, struggle with feelings of displacement. 

As we near the conclusion of our sermon series in Romans (3 sermons left!) I’ve been reading a collection of reflections on Romans 8, entitled Walking in the Spirit. In one chapter, the author reflects on how the Holy Spirit works in our lives to produce a feeling of displacement. Christ’s Spirit in us produces hope for something more. As a downpayment of the inheritance God has for us, the Spirit works to remind us that heaven is our true home. By the Spirit, our hearts ache and groan for the fullness of life with God. 

This is a truth that those who suffer are often more in touch with. They understand and long after something the world cannot offer. Those experiencing homelessness, for example, are under no illusions about being at home in our city. 

In the book, the author describes a friend, Edward, who felt called to cross-cultural mission work. As Edward was training he was stricken with an ALS-like disease. As this debilitating disease ravaged Edward’s body and deprived him of the vocation for which he longed, Edward suffered greatly. Yet, as the author describes, he also held fast to the reality that his true home was with God. Because his hope was in Christ, and not in any calling, status or experience in creation, Edward’s hope endured, even as the home that was his body decayed. Out of this hope, Edward persisted in service to others and blessed many. 

Your true home is in Christ. You were made for life with God, and you are destined for it. If you have a deep sense of place here in Austin, praise God! But you were made for more, invite the Spirit to stir up a longing for your true home. If you have a sense of displacement and longing for home, be reminded of the truth that you are, in Christ, now already home in the heart of Him who made you. 

In Christ, 

Peter+ 

Ps. Cases and hospitalizations in Austin continue to drop. Austin Public Health shifted to stage 3 of their protocols this week. Hopefully we will move into stage two soon. We anticipate making a shift in our policy regarding masks at that point. Until then we’ll continue as we have, strongly encouraging everyone who can to wear masks. Feel free to reach out with any question or concerns. 

PPs. Our Parish Retreat is right around the corner! Sign up here! Our focus will be on the topic of prayer and our text will be the Old Testament book of Habbakuk.