Home

I went to see The Hobbit last night.  Once again I was struck by how apt the story line is to our own journey through life, especially if we are pursuing a life of faith and trust in God.  These men thought they were choosing to make this journey, when all along, they had been chosen for the journey.   Bilbo, in particular,  thought he was giving up so much....his comfortable hobbit house, his books and his cozy cup of tea and heavy-laden food pantry.  But he had been chosen for an "adventure".   His safety couldn't be guaranteed, but personal transformation was certain.  

 It was a wild, dangerous, difficult, terrifying journey; he would face evil he had never seen before.  There would be opposition. His character would be tested.  But the 'adventure' would ultimately lead to something far better than anything he would leave behind.

I think this is the journey God has us on, if we are following Him. ...a journey that will ultimately bring us truly home!  

And I think it will turn out that Home is not a place, after all,  but a Person.

God is committed to getting us there, even more than we are.  He knows the dangers are ultimately greater than we realize, the stakes much higher than we know.  But we are on the journey with the all-powerful creator of the universe.  And what's the alternative, really?....  To stay 'safe' for now, but to never know our true home?...

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.  And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  ............

So, take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.  Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong."

Hebrews 12:1-2,12-13

"Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!  Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.

Psalm 90:1-2