A journey from True North to…North Star.

Early pioneers knew that they had found where they were to settle, that they’d reached their final destination, their pre-destined point to relocate their life, when peace entered into their hearts & they were filled with a “knowing” that they had arrived where they belonged.

The Spirit which dwelled within them ignited & revealed to them,

“This is where you are meant to be!”

“This is home.”

They had found their True North.

In Scripture the Disciples, some of the first pioneers, reveal to us this peace…this perfect “knowing” that we are exactly where we belong. They understood this as an eternal peace, not internal or external. And they discovered (and thereby revealed to us) it can most fully be found on the road to Christ. That road which leads to following His ways, to walking His path; in complete trust, and hope, and faith, and love.

“After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer walked with him. Jesus said to the Twelve. “Will you also go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6: 66-70

Our family has been blessed to experience this peace, this “knowing,” of finding a location you knew God was calling you to dwell in. Not just in the sense of the bricks & mortar that were being laid out, but in the greater journey He was calling us to make within this space.

“It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end.” Ursula LaGuine

We have reflected a lot, in these past several weeks, on all the grace and mercy which has flowed from this home. We’ve giggled & laughed, and pondered & cried as we’ve relived SO many wonderful memories. But all of them have always pointed back to an enormous sense of gratitude. Who are we to have been given the opportunity to open our home & thereby our hearts, to so many? We have marveled at the amount of phone calls and spontaneous visits with those who’ve shared in our journey at True North as they’ve learned of our upcoming departure. One final walk down memory lane has been as important to them, as it has been to us. A confirmation that indeed Christ’s love has dwelled here. And an affirmation for us personally that Christ simply desires a new “heartbeat” to dwell here now; yet calls us to continue to follow Him to…North Star.

The Disciples knew that even though Jesus would depart from this place their journey was just beginning. They could not go where He was going now but would follow afterward.

“Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.”

John 14:1

And so it is.

We continue to follow where He leads us in trust and faith and hope and love, (albeit many boxes in tow,) as we now prepare to move into our new home…North Star!

Why North Star?

The North Star always sits over the North Pole. That is why sailors & explorers use it to navigate, to keep their path squared. The rest of the constellations around it – the Big Dipper, Cassiopeia – they’re transpolar. They move around as the months of the year change, but the North Star never moves. It’s constant.

And so it is with Christ. He is our North Star.

And it is through Him, we find our True North.