Archive Poster : April 2018
Australia has a housing crisis. Tonight, on average, 44,000 homeless young people will sleep rough. Meanwhile Anglicare Sydney reports, "almost 1 in 10 people aged 55 years and over supported through [our] Emergency Relief program are experiencing insecure housing including sleeping rough, in tents, couch surfing and using their family car as a form of shelter."
Why, in a wealthy modern economy like Australia, is a widowed grandmother being forced out of her home to live on the streets? Yet this is happening. And why are rents so high? In 1960 less than 8% of our income was spent on housing - today it's closer to 21% on average. And in the major capital cities it's a lot higher (in Sydney, it's nearly 40%!).
This is not the place to address the reasons we're in such stress. But if you're one of those many Australians struggling to cope then know this... God is aware of your situation. And, in the Bible, Jesus speaks of a future where God will provide permanent and free accommodation in heaven for all eternity.
2,000 years ago, at a time when things were even more uncertain than ours, Jesus told his followers,
"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." (The Bible - John 14:1-3)
When Jesus speaks of heaven as a house, he's reassuring us that God is well and truly able to look after us. His words are so enormously comforting. No matter how dire our situation is now - even if we're on the street or worse, Jesus promises heavenly security for those who trust in him. In this bright future God promises to let us live with him in close friendship and fellowship.
And not just in any old house. It will be a place where,
"He will wipe away every tear ... and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." (The Bible - Revelation 21:4)
You know that old real estate cliche about 'Great potential'. Well that's you and God. So, trust in Jesus now to secure your place.
Prayer: Dear God, grant me the faith to trust Jesus's promise that I am welcome in your house forever. Amen.
The Bible: John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many rooms."
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