“Where are you from?”

If the thought of answering that question in one sentence puts you on edge slightly, you might have spent your childhood traveling from one place to another. For others, you may have been born and raised in the same place. When I was a child, I often wondered what it would be like to stay in one place for longer than 3 years. I wondered what it would be like to go to school with the same friends instead of teary goodbyes, not knowing which country we would see each other in next.

Regardless of how far you’ve traveled, be it a couple of hours down the road, or days worth of layovers and naps in airport terminals, you can probably relate to the idea of longing for Home. Knowing that somewhere, there is a place where you feel safe, where you can rest in knowing that your journey is over.

Let’s shift pace a little bit here. There are some who at times believe they have wandered too far. Those who are longing for Home but think: “I’ve messed up too many times.” “I’ve done: this, that, or the other.” “There is no way that God would take me back.” Sound familiar? There are many parables in the New Testament that talk about seeking the lost. If you haven’t had a chance to read them, they tell of one who was believed to have been lost, found due to the intentionality of the Seeker. The One who would willingly turn over furniture, leave 99 sheep untended to find 1, or run and embrace the prodigal son upon his return. Your Heavenly Father wants the same for you!

Now, you might be worried about the journey Home. You might be concerned about the steps you think you have to take, or about “fixing” things before you turn back. The good news is, your Father just wants you! That means He’ll meet you right where you are. He’ll walk alongside you and restore you if you allow Him to! No steps, no gimmicks, just turning to Him.

Come back, wanderer. No matter how far you think you are from home. Come find rest.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all of creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ.”
Romans 8:38-39, New International Version

Guest blogger: Linda Branch (iHope intern)