Jesus Lives in My Heart

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old is gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV).

The end of July will mark nine years since I moved into my first home. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long already! Time goes faster every year. I’ve always heard that, but you don’t really believe it until you live it. As I approach my 40s, I can now attest to that truth.

As I reflect back over the last number of years, it’s been a whirlwind of blessings. My 30s have, thus far, been the absolute best decade of my life. 

Coming to know a personal relationship with Jesus changed my life. 

He led me to my first job, and first home in Nicholasville.

He has brought me new friends, and allowed me to reconnect with old ones.

He has challenged, and grown me.

He has pushed me toward new things, and pulled me away from old.

Most importantly, I have come to know and live out 2 Corinthians 5:17, which says: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old is gone, the new is here! I love the use of an exclamation point here. I can’t think of anything more appropriate. Laying down our old selves, and being renewed in Christ, is definitely something to celebrate! 

In some ways, saying yes to walking with Jesus is a bit similar to buying your first home, especially if it’s an older home like the one I bought. One Saturday evening I was searching Zillow, and by that Wednesday night, my offer had been accepted and the process started to become a first time home owner. 

It was exciting, but a little scary. It felt like a bit of a risk, but I knew it was the right move. I knew work would be required to transform things to make it feel like home for me. Financially, it would stretch me. But in the end, it was and continues to be, one of the biggest blessings in my life.

I have had a lot of hard moments, cried a lot of tears, and had sleepless nights in that house. I have shared laughs with old friends, and welcomed new ones. I hosted my first family holiday event. But most importantly, it’s where Jesus met me, grew me, and walked with me through the process of sanctification toward becoming the woman I am today.

I moved into my home 2 months before experiencing Jesus in a new way. The timing is not lost on me. Those two things together have stretched me, challenged me, broke me down, but eventually led to an amazing transformation that has changed my life.

I was talking with a friend recently about my life, all the Lord has done, but also keeping my heart open to whatever is next. My first home will always be special, and part of me can’t imagine ever leaving it behind. But the real truth is this–Jesus doesn’t live in the house, He lives in my heart. And that’s the best news of all.