Emphasis Preaching Journal

The novelist Thomas Wolfe authored a book titled You Can't Go Home Again. How many experiences have we each had which prove the truth of that? Parents and siblings change, move away, die. Old relationships seem to lack the truth and power they once had. Support once found in the familiar and happy places of the past evaporates. One person expressed the feelings of grief he had when his prairie childhood town became so small it lost its own zip code! Christmas and other holidays can lose the joy and contentment they once contained - at least in our memories.

And yet, we find it difficult to fight off feelings of nostalgia triggered by music, a toy, a phone call, the sight of a familiar face. Even worse, as we grow older we become aware of the evidence of the cruelty and pain of the world around us. There must be a better place! Perhaps it was home or that haven of security in a place or relationship which signifies home for us. Whatever we feel, underneath we often would like to go home again.

The Lord's prophetic promise to a broken creation is echoed in Zephaniah's insight. "At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you together ..." There will be homecoming, a summing up, a place to again dance and sing and feel joy! Daughters and sons of Jerusalem - rejoice!
- Hedahl