It’s a new day.
2020 is behind us and aren’t we ready to step forward onto new ground? I’m longing for a return to something – many people are calling it ‘a return to normal’ – but, truly, I’m longing for something more.
This past week my daughter came home from her Midwest home where she attends graduate school for a much needed family time. It felt almost like a family huddle – we drew near – we sat close….ahhhh (I did wear my mask and we each did a 2 week quarantine prior) – it was much needed time after the past several months for our family.
The day of her arrival I couldn’t eat breakfast, I lost my appetite in my excitement. Then, I left for the ferry in my house slippers and didn’t notice until I was part way to the mainland, and it was too late to change! Her coming home entirely discombobulated me.
We’ve all experienced homecomings – either your own or someone you love. In our current times of COVID-19 virus, there is a new kind of homecoming we long for – a return to normal.
There is much to be said for this new type of homecoming – not so much a return to place, rather a return to people and life as we knew it. And, in the midst of it all I sense a need for some new and improved ways of living.
We hope the wilderness of pandemic has grown us in some ways. We hope we’ve gained a better understanding of what’s important and of true value. We’ve lost some people we loved and we’ve lost some of our securities and strongholds. We hope we’ve grown in compassion and care for each other.
Words from my Bible have been jumping out from the pages with an unexpected truth:
“I will bring you back….”
The place God is referring to, from my reading in Jeremiah and Isaiah, is being enslaved physically (“captivity”), not under their own rule. Yet, God speaks in other passages of our internal captivities – places like fear, wrongly held affections (idolatry), lust, pride – wanting our own way and disregarding the cares of others and God’s ways.
God promises He can deliver.
God tells us over and over He can provide a much needed rescue.
I wonder, are these words to you and I today? Can God provide a rescue – a way out of this wilderness of viral take down and racial injustice?
I think so. I believe God’s words are true. Always. For every generation. ‘What He says He will bring about – that He will do’ – God promises to bring us back. Hallellujah!
Going back requires a physical turn, a change in direction, but, honestly, don’t we need a change of heart as well?
The word ‘return’ in the Bible always involves a heart turn – repenting. He leads me well. He knows me well. He loves me well. I can trust His ways and His rule.
Bringing us back….I don’t know exactly what it looks like, but I know God is the only One who can deliver.
So, today, I’m starting the year strong – I’m offering up this prayer – an invitation, Lord, for You to do Your mighty work – to bring us back to You and Your ways (of freedom, of justice, of peace).
Bring us back to Your Sovereign rule in our life. We invite You to lead us Lord – daily, moment by moment. None other will we follow.
Bring us back from wrong ways of thinking – from trusting self’s ways and self’s rule – to following Your good ways. Lord, forgive us for going our own way. Cleanse us, make us new and keep us in the path marked righteousness for Your names sake.
Bring us back to Your very heart. Revive us, recreate our hearts. We invite Your Holy Spirit to move in us – to do the impossible and give us the new hearts You’ve promised and fill them with the life only You can give.
Bring us back to Your wise counsel and comfort. We invite Your Spirit to guide our way and remind us of Your path. Teach us the way to go.
Bring us back from wrong strongholds – from finding our strength and protection in earthly security and things. Forgive us. Be our strength every morning and our shield and protection as we move forward.
Bring us back to wholeness. Heal the broken places in us. Heal the fissures, the breaks, the wounds, the relational chaos. Revive our hearts and make us new and whole, ones able to love You wholeheartedly.
Bring us back to comm-unity and to the hardest piece of that picture – unity. Only You can do it – it’s a part of the mystery of Your plans – reconciliation and unity – the impossible made possible through You.
We invite You to do a mighty work and reform our communities – make them new. We invite You in to our communities – we want You to dwell there. Build and restore Your church. Renew us as a people and repurpose and rebuild Your church to reflect You better. Grow in us grace and mercy toward one another.
Bring us back and restore to us the joy of Your salvation. Realign our hearts with Yours. Fill us with Your love so that it leaks out to those in our midst.
May Your kingdom come and Your will be done, and let it begin with me.
“..Restore us to Yourself, Lord, that we may return;
Renew our days as of old.” – Lam 5:21
