Tuesday, June 10, 2008

There's no place like home

Today’s Reading: John 12:35-36(NIV)

35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light. When He had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

Good morning!

In the movie, The Wizard of Oz, young Dorothy is longing for home. Clicking the heels of her ruby red slippers, with fingers crossed and eyes closed, every heart string understood her need as she cried, “There’s no place like home; there’s no place like home.” Last night, Jeff and I returned home from the Missouri Area Conference of the United Methodist Church, an annual meeting that I look forward to every year. It is great catching up to friends in ministry across the state, hearing the wonderful testimonies of new life extending within Missouri United Methodism, and taking some time away from our churches to learn and grow, and encourage one another as we step forward in faith. I had a wonderful time, and yet, this morning, as I write, I share the sentiment of my young friend Dorothy – There is no place like home.

If you’ve ever stayed away from home for a conference or vacation, you know what it is like to try to get a good night’s rest in a strange place. We stayed in a hotel that had all the amenities of home - a full kitchen, sitting room, and a great big bed to sleep in. It was very similar to being at home, but it wasn’t home. There were unfamiliar noises in the dark – I found it difficult to move from one room to the other without a flashlight to guide my steps. And when the thunderstorms came late at night, it became very hard to sleep.

Jesus knew He was heading home soon. The light of life would soon be extinguished and the darkness would fall upon the people He loves. Jesus knew they would soon be longing for some sense of familiarity, yet they would find themselves feeling their way in the darkness. It would not always be a comfortable existence, in the places where they lived. There would be times when Christ’s followers would yearn for His light, but it would be hard to see, Jesus knew what was coming and He did His best to prepare them for the dark, when they would yearn for His light to return and the promise of a new day fulfilled. He knew how they would long to go home.

Jesus said, “Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light. It is His light that illuminates our hearts! When we have His light to guide us, we can rest assured that even when we move into not so familiar surroundings, the light of Christ is with us, guarding and guiding the way. Your surroundings may not be very comfortable right now. You may be feeling a little bit homesick today. I have good news for you! The light of Christ is with us, and if we choose to trust Him completely, His light will become our light and it will illuminate The Way home.

There is no place like home, when your home is with Jesus.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

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© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

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