When we first moved to our farm six years ago, one of my favorite things to do was to walk the property lines.  Though our acreage is not large, it is still more land than I have owned before.  As I walked up and down hills, crossed pasture and spring, I was exhilerated with the thought that it belonged to me.  I chose the name "Pleasant Places" for my farm.  Taken from Psalm 16:6, the name seemed to capture the gratitude I felt  at being allowed to live on and care for this piece of land.  "The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me."

Of course, those verses are really speaking of someone infintely more valuable than even the choicest piece of property.  Psalm 16:5 tells me that "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup."  If I can get excited about possessing a few acres of trees and rocks, how much more glorious to realize that I possess the Lord himself as my inheritance.  Everything I need lies within my own "property lines": His love, grace, forgiveness, hope, strength, direction, wisdom...everything.  My inheritance is sufficient because He is sufficient.

While, one day in one way or another, I will leave Pleasant Places Farm, I will never have to leave behind all that I possess in Jesus Christ.  That is my permament portion, my heritage. My inheritance is not dependent on lines on a map, not tied to earth or time.  Whether I live on a farm or in a mansion or in a box under a bridge, as a believer, I dwell in pleasant places because I dwell with Christ.

My home is Pleasant Places , literally at the moment, but figuratively no matter where the journey ends up taking me.  A little farther down in Psalm 16 David writes, "Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; In thy presence is fullness of joy; in Thy right hand are pleasures forever."   Pleasures forever.  What a promise!