The Way Back Home

The Way Back Home.  But the way back home from where?  And to where?  I first wrote this one back on October 25, 2013. I cried when I wrote it. It still makes me cry. Even when I hear this song now, it's got a whole added meaning to it beyond the obvious words.  And today, March 3, 2021, I'm publishing it again. 

You know how we never know when God's got something to tell us?  Well, I was on my way to the store just to pick up some groceries I ordered online.  This song comes on.  While it's playing, the thought comes to me that it's time to add a little something.  And here it is:  For those of you who have kids, even if you know for sure exactly where they are right this second - do your kids know the way back home?  Not to your home - but "home" in the sense I write about below.

With that thought in mind, here's my version of what "home" can and should mean to all of us.  Not just our physical home.  And that's assuming we even have one.  But to the Home waiting for us.

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There are far too many people in this world that are helping God’s children get lost.

Too many kids are missin'
Is anybody listening?
Won't you be the children's eyes
They're all alone
The hardest part's not knowing
Where they are or where they're going
Won't you help the children find
The way back home

God knows where His children are -

but those lost ones - they don’t know where they are themselves - and they don’t know where they’re going either.

God’s asking us to be the eyes of those lost children - He’s asking us to help them find their way back home - to Him.

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The Way Back Home - Introduction

There are a couple ways to read this post.
One is from the point of view of the person who is already a Christian.
The other is from the point of view of someone who is looking for God.

The reality is, both are searching for their true "home".

And now, in the March 2021 update, I'm adding a third way. The view of a parent, looking at their child(ren).

The first one is on The Way. ¹The Way is what Jesus' followers in the early church called their group.  Today, we call them Christians.

Even someone on The Way, a Christian, is still having problems. Still needing guidance from God. They are loved by Jesus, but forgiven, because they asked for that forgiveness.

The second is looking for The Way.

The person who's not yet on The Way, not yet a Christian, is also having problems. Also needing guidance from God. And yes, they are also loved by Jesus. In these ways, not entirely different. However, they do not yet have forgiveness, because they haven't asked. They may not even know they can ask.

The third is a child who may or may not know anything about The Way.

If you're the parent of a child, this third one is your child. Or maybe your children.

Like the others, your child is loved by God. As are you. But, up to a certain age, they only know what you've taught them or led them to experience. After that, they learn from all sorts of places. However, for something so critical, are you sure they know the truth about The Way? And the importance of following Jesus?

The Way Back Home - A Question

Before you read it though, here's a question. I said above that those in all three of the viewpoints are loved by Jesus. Do you believe this?

If you're the Christian, I expect you believe it.

If you're not - you maybe don't believe it.

Maybe you think you've done something so bad that Jesus couldn't possibly love you. But He does.

Maybe you don't even believe in Jesus. And maybe you don't even care if He loves you. But He does.

Take a look at the example from Mark 10:17-27 below. This is a man who wanted to follow Jesus, but on his own terms, not the way Jesus wanted. This man ends up walking away from Jesus. At least at this time. We don't know if he ever returns or changes his mind.

The Rich Young Man

10:17-31 pp — Mt 19:16-30; Lk 18:18-30

Mk 10:17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”