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Sometimes the hardest people to share the
Gospel with, are the people in our closest sphere of influence … our
family. Maybe it’s because they’ve seen
us at our worst, maybe it’s because it is easier to ignore the people nearest
to us. This song is about the tension
that exists when we just can’t seem to bridge that gap.
This issue is nothing new. Such difficulties have arisen since the first
son of the first couple laid eyes on the faith of his brother and became
enflamed with rage and jealousy because of his own deficit (Gen. 4). Even Jesus dealt with this issue.
“Jesus' brothers said to him, ‘You ought
to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you
do. No one who wants to become a public
figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the
world.’ For even his own brothers did
not believe in him.” (John 7:3-5)
Be encouraged, that story ends well. Among these same siblings are some notable
heroes of the faith who later led the New Testament Church. His brother James even gave His life for the
name of Christ.
So what do we do when nothing we say
penetrates the hearts or minds of those we hold most dear? First, we pray. Ephesians 2 tells us that faith is a gift of
God and so we must pray that God would illumine His Gospel to the hearts of our
family. Pray persistently, never growing
weary no matter what the situation.
Second, keep your priorities straight. Jesus loved His family more than we will ever
love our own, and yet He knew that the work His Father called Him to had to
take preeminence in His life (Matt. 12:46-50).
This is never an excuse for calloused neglect, but it is a call to allow
God to reveal Himself in you as you do the work of the kingdom.
Third, don’t ever fear the “coming
home”. You may have every reason to
believe that you will be rejected or reviled, but that really irrelevant. Your persistent love and life’s testimony
will be the aroma of Christ. Be Jesus to
your family, they may be closer to the Kingdom than you think.
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then
peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial
and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in
peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”
James 3:17-18
Coming Home
Hey old man I know you, same eyes in an older skin
But the son you knew ‘s not the man that you see
And I wish that I could explain, I wish that I could explain
But how can I tell you the truth,
that’s been written on my heart
Truth that can’t be seen
with the natural eye or the rational mind
Or any human art
I’m coming home and I’m bringing hope
Down dusty roads and weary miles
I won’t let go, ‘cause faith always hopes
Father of mine meet my Father of life
So many years have passed now, so many choices made
I shown you the wrong, let me prove the right
By shinning a light on this new life He has made
Raised to life from the grave
I’m coming home and I’m bringing hope
Down dusty roads and weary miles
I won’t let go, ‘cause faith always hopes
Father of mine meet my Father of life
Grace for you, love for you
The Son lifted up for you
Dreams renewed, fire that’s true
Hope rekindled for you
Believe in the one, crucified Son
Raised again to bring you life
The Father’s heart, with nail pierced hands
Reaching out to you, He’s reaching out to you
I’m coming home and I’m bringing hope
Down dusty roads and weary miles
I won’t let go, ‘cause faith always hopes
Father of mine meet my Father of life
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