SATURDAY THOUGHTS: MAKE IT HOME

At the funeral today, I thought how wonderful it is for people to be able to stand and speak about an individual's life, and not have to fumble for words, embellish, or lie. 

I thought about how many people talk a good game, but never produce anything to back up what they say. 

I thought about an individual's ability to raise their own children, and yet have love to share as they mentor the children of others. 

I thought about what many think a Christian looks like, as opposed to the criteria that indicates what a Christian life should demonstrate.

Today, a school system that isn't often characterized by its compassion, opened the doors of 2 facilities in order to accommodate the scores of individuals who were touched by the efforts of one man--a man who could very well have lived a life amassing accolades about his own achievement, but instead, shined his light so that others could shine. 

There were horns blowing today, and they weren't making noise. 

They were harmoniously boasting for an individual who would probably never have sought that kind of fanfare for himself.

I wrote a poem last August. 

I can't remember what motivated me to sit down and write, but I remembered it today as I walked out of the school that had been briefly turned into a sanctuary. 

Today a life was celebrated, and there was so much to applaud in the way of service to others. There was even more to applaud, in that his own family reflected not a shred of neglect, and demonstrated the benefits of a present, mature, attentive, encouraging father. 

How we live our lives, and the message we will all leave behind is so critical.
Many spend so much time scraping, scratching and struggling to get, to be, to achieve, and impress, but what would all of an individual's busyness profit them if everything appears great on the outside, but is crumbling on the inside? 

"What WOULD it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his soul?" 

What would it profit anyone, if God in our lives is only a concept that we conveniently trot out for a weekly choreographed show on Sundays? 

I wondered today, if I'd ever seen a more profound example of discipleship minus the usual titles, and religious trappings...


MAKE IT HOME

We have all the trappings to present a fresh face to the world
But follow us home, follow us home
We know all the right things to say
And put on quite a show
But follow us home, follow us home

What will you see behind the door?
Will it testify to all you've heard before?

We have all the religious ways to sway, and change men's minds,
But no power at home, no power at home
We profess no fear of death
And say that things are fine
But no power at home, no power at home

It's not about doing what I say
Not what I do
Whether I'm good, bad or indifferent
God's Word is still true
Don't get preoccupied, or distracted by what you see
I beg of you-
Please don't miss God for judging them
Or studying me

We all have a soul's salvation that needs to be worked out,
Help me make it home, I'll help you make it home
Many chapters and verses prove that Love's what it's about.
Help me make it home, I'll help you make it home

If a goat brings the Word, just take it and let him go!
When you hear that Jesus saves, just say, "Amen. It is so!"

We have even less time than we had when we began.
Do you want to go home? Do you want to go home?
For your life there's a purpose
An expected end, a plan
Do you want to go home?
God wants you to go home.

There's only one way home.
Can't get lost going home.
So much waiting at home.
Don't you want to go home?

August 27, 2009