When my son was a child, every Tuesday I found myself sitting in a music studio for an hour while he had his piano lesson. Half of the time his teacher devoted to written theory instruction and the remainder of the hour was spent at the piano preparing for his practical exam. Although I could just drop him off, choosing to use the opportunity to run errands, I actually looked forward to this hour each week. I would take note paper and write letters, or bring a book and have an excuse to sit and read, or prepare for a Bible study I was facilitating, basically enjoying some uninterrupted time on my own.
I recall one day as I was giving half-an-ear to his teacher as she reinforced some Analysis and Counterpoint rules, I heard her give this advice: "If at all possible, always come home." She was referencing when writing music how it was best to end a composition in the tonic or "home" key. Her direction spoke deeply to my heart.
Coming home. This is a repeated message from God through the prophet Jeremiah. Over and over again we read that God will bring the captive people home again. Oh to respond to that invitation. God is calling us all to "come home". To come home to peace. To come home to rest. To come home to forgiveness. To come home to hope. To come home to acceptance. To come home to freedom. To come home to love. Being a wilderness wanderer myself at times, I am so thankful that God always has the welcome mat out, the door open and the porchlight on.
Not only is there always a welcome, but God Himself is waiting and watching for us. He does not scold us for leaving. He does not list all the "I told you so's". He does not gloat over the failure that may have prompted our return. He does not lay a guilt-trip on us or list our faults. He offers us a shoulder to cry on. His arms of love encircle us. He smiles and holds us tight. He knows exactly where we have been, but at this moment, that does not matter. What thrills His heart is where we are right now. We have made a decision to come home.
"From Now On", a song from the movie musical "The Greatest Showman" has lyrics that move my heart every time I hear them. The main character, P. T. Barnum, had chased his dreams but in doing so left behind all that was truly treasured and valued. It took losing everything for his heart to remember what was lasting, and from the rubble he saw what still remained and it led him to return home. Repeatedly the chorus swells as you watch Barnum hastily making his way back to all that matters as the lyrics continue, "And we will come back home, and we will come back home, home again!"
Do you need to come home today? God is looking with longing for you. If the journey seems too far, the distance too great, remember, the first step is always the hardest. Recall the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. It says in verse 20, "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." This is the only time in the entire Word of God when the Lord is characterized as running. Let that grip your heart. Do you understand what makes God run? A child coming home.
God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is still running towards anyone who turns their heart toward home. It does not matter what forces our return. I heard once that it was not pangs of conscience that sent the prodigal son home, but pangs of hunger. The prodigal son did not go home until his desperation was greater than his pride. God will use whatever it takes to bring someone back home, even if it is just to satisfy our own personal needs. Take that first step and you will find you are home. Zephaniah 3:20 says, "At that time I will bring you home." Let God be your dwelling place today in whatever situation you are facing. Do not just call home, come home.
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