How can I leave you again?

How can I leave you again? Some of you will recognize that question as the title of a John Denver song. Others will be reminded of someone. But who? Who can we leave, return to, and the lyrics to the song apply?

I've liked the song, How can I leave you again, for many years. Most likely ever since it came out in 1977.

But in the last few years, it has more meaning to me. Maybe, after reading this, it will for you as well.

For anyone who has left, but not returned to this person, I hope this will give you cause to think.

Do you know who I mean?

Lyrics - How can I leave you again?

Let's start with the lyrics.

Di di di di di la la la la la la
In a spaceship over the mountains
Chasing rainbows in the setting sun
Leaving heart and home for the city of angels
I feel my life is undone

There are pathways winding below me
In pleasure I've gone where they go
In the quiet stillness I can hear symphonies
The loveliest music I know

How can I leave you again
I must be clear out of my mind
Lost in a storm I've gone blind
Oh, how can I leave you again

Oh, it's been a long time since I've listened
Still longer since I've walked with you
For the first time I know what I'm missing
Some answers are no longer true

So I question the course that I follow
I'm doubtful and deep in despair
My heart is full of impossible notions
Can it be you no longer care?

How can I leave you again
I must be clear out of my mind
Lost in a storm I've gone blind
Oh, how can I leave you again

How can I leave you again
I must be clear out of my mind
Lost in a storm I've gone blind
Oh, how can I leave you again

Who is the "you" in "How can I leave you again?"

Now that you've read the lyrics, do they remind you of anyone? Someone you've left, come back to, and can't imagine ever leaving again. Or, maybe for you, it's someone you haven't left, and can't imagine ever leaving.

When I left someone. And later returned.

My answer to the question of "who is the who in the title?" is God. I left Him. Was very angry at God. I thought He'd done things to me that were incredibly unfair and just plain wrong. For a look at what led me to walk, no run, away from God, you can check out the About me page. The thing is though, even though I searched long and hard, I never found a replacement for Jesus.

And so I came back. There's a line in Luke's Gospel that gives all of us who have left Jesus plenty of reason to not worry about coming back to Him. It's not one that normally gets chosen for that purpose, and yet, I believe it fits really well.

Jesus’ Sorrow for Jerusalem

13:34, 35 pp — Mt 23:37-39
13:34, 35 Ref—Lk 19:41

Lk 13:31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”

Lk 13:32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!