“Come Home” by Justin March
“Come home, come home. Ye who are weary come home. Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling. Calling, “Oh sinner come home.”
Refrain from “Softly and Tenderly” by Will L. Thompson
It has been a long time since I listened to this hymn. My grandmother used to play it on her organ, and I remember the passion she had as the words flowed from her mouth and her emotions ran high. She always loved the classical hymns, and I can recall being mesmerized by the beautiful melodies that flowed through her fingers as she entertained us with God’s lovely messages.
As we sang this hymn at church a couple of weeks ago, the nostalgia was overwhelming. I found myself choking on the words as I remembered loved ones who have passed and reminisced about all the wonderful times I was able to spend with them. Tears streamed down my face, and as the keys collaborated with the pipes of the organ, I was overwhelmed by the way God was calling me home.
“Come home. Ye who are weary come home.” As this world continues to beat me down with the negative messages of the media, the uncertainty of the economy, and the separation of our people, my soul becomes weary. I do my best to stay positive and allow God’s light to shine through everything I do, but I must admit, there are days the climb seems impossible. I stumble, even fall, and as the weight of the world tries to crush God’s mission for my life, I hear him calling me home.
“Come home, come home. Calling Oh sinner come home.” God knows I am not perfect. God knows I am going to make mistakes. Yet he stands by my side as he softly and tenderly guides me through a life that can be both wondrous and troublesome. He rejoices with me when the times are good, and he mourns with me when the times are bad. He is steadfast, impenetrable, and resistant to the worries of this world. And even when my faith has been shaken and my hope begins to dwindle, it is this message that reminds me to come home.
I must tell you, it is a blessing to walk with Jesus. He has given me so many ways to come home, and when I am weary, it is exactly what I do. Sometimes home is the sanctuary of our church. Sometimes home is the group of friends I get to spend Thursday nights with. And sometimes home is the embracing arms of my wife, the smiles of my children, the conversations with my family, and the snuggling with my dogs. I know I take some of these things for granted, but when I take the time to really think about all that is good in my life, I come to understand that God has allowed his only Son to befriend me and bring me back home.
My friends, this world will only get better if we accept the fact that it is time to come home. When we realize the burden is too heavy to carry, when we find a way to forgive those who hurt us, and when we are able to extend God’s grace, we find ourselves coming home. Home to the loving arms of our Savior, home to the promises only he can truly keep, and home to the truths proclaimed that bring us hope and peace.
I hope you find your way home this week. I pray that when you are weary, downtrodden, and lost, you trust in God and allow him to guide you home. He knows we sin. He knows we struggle. Yet, he is forgiving and gracious when we show the effort to help one another and follow his plan. He provides comfort, rest, and safety. And when we follow the mission he has for our lives, he provides a renewal that equips us to stand up and take on whatever this world wants to throw our way.
Love, forgive, repent, confess, rejoice, and live a life that brings positivity to the world. Allow God’s light to shine through everything you do. And when you have put in a hard day’s work and brought others to the cross, you will find serenity in knowing that you are being called home.
