H.O.M.E.

Galatians 2:20 AMP I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

John 1:14 CEB The Word became flesh and made his home among us. We have seen his glory, glory like that of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Most of us look forward to coming home. Even if coming home isn’t Hallmark-movie style with hugs, hot chocolate, and happy dogs, home waits for us as we have waited all day for it. Because home is the security and satisfaction of a place where we can shut out the world, or at least try to, for a time. Home is a place where we can simply be us. Where we are known as we are and loved as we are. Where we take off the make-up and the masks, take down the hair and the high-frequency smiles, put on the PJs and soak in peace, just being us.

As a soil scientist and farm girl, I have a strong identification with home – not the buildings or even the people, but the land itself of the family farm. Many generations stretching back have put their mark on this land in many ways. In fact, I’m the first generation not born there on the farm in the farmhouse.

I can breathe deeper there on the farm than anywhere else. I think I learned this from my father who truly becomes himself when he is out on this land. No matter the weather, he is most him when he is outside walking, working, or wondering about the crops or cattle. It’s as if the land lets him be transparent in his joy, words, and dreams. There on the farm, I hear stories, songs, and speech from my father, like nowhere else. Because he’s home.

And this glimpse into my father’s heart reminds me that no matter where I am (or where I’ve been), my true Home is with my Jesus. He is truly the Rock on which life is built and will stand, no matter the storm, no matter the day.

With Jesus, in Jesus is where I am truly me – seen and loved as I am, accepted and forgiven by His sacrifice, embraced and comforted as only He can do. He knows and touches the deepest, darkest, dearest bits and pieces of me like none other can. He speaks and hears the stories, songs, and speech that can’t even make it out of my heart to my tongue.

And when I’ve prodigal-ed yet again, Jesus is the One waiting, watching, wanting me to come home to Him. He leaps up to welcome me with the first step of repentance as if I’d never left. I keep forgetting that when I’m home with Him, the noise, chaos, fears, worries, and me are calmed and quieted. For when I’ve returned to be home with Him, He is all I hear, need, and want.

H.O.M.E.

Hearing.

Only.

My.

Emmanuel.

At home with Jesus, sins are erased and joy is embraced.

At H.O.M.E. with Jesus, lives are restored and hope is renewed

At H.O.M.E. with Jesus, perspectives are realigned and faith is regained.

Jesus made His home with us over 2,000 years ago as a baby. Jesus makes His home with us every day as our Emmanuel. Jesus will forever make His home with us as the King of Glory.

No matter how long it’s been since you’ve been H.O.ME., He will welcome you with open arms.

No matter what you’ve done since you’ve been gone, His love for you never changes.

So here’s a question for you – “when are you coming home?”

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me

Reflection prayer:

Dear Father God,

Thank You that You never give up on me. Thank You that You choose to keep loving me. Thank You for the amazing grace of forgiveness. Please soften my heart to hear You and to come home today to You. Please show me what needs to change in my life so that Your voice is the only one I hear.

In the strong Name of Jesus,

Amen.

Written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2021

click on link below to sign up to follow the blog – thanks!

https://soulscientistblog.com/blog/