The motorcyclist knocking at the door asked the homeowner about the families that formerly lived in that neighborhood. It's where he had grown up and he wanted to visit his former friends. The homeowner said he'd never heard of the people, to which the visitor responded: "I guess it's true. They say you can never go home again." His face fell and his sadness was apparent.

God's love invites us to come home to Him. He invites us to a saving, fulfilling relationship with Him that tells us we are finally at home. It's a place with and in Him where we are forgiven, accepted, loved, restored, and wanted.

Jesus said, "Abide in Me, and I will abide in you." To abide means to "remain".

Jesus said that the ones who loves Him will obey Him and "My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them" Jn. 14:23.

The Psalmist said, "Lord, you have been our dwelling throughout all generations" Ps. 90:1.

Our home with Him is eternal. The hardships we go through in life do not compare with how wonderful that home will be. "Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" Ro. 8:18.

How accurate the song lyrics are: "This world is not my home; I'm just a passin' through; my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue; the angels beckon me from heaven's open door; and I can't feel at home in this world anymore."

Pastor Greg Brownell

United Brethren Church