I woke up this morning, for some reason, with Blake Shelton’s song “Home” playing in my head. It is not unusual for me to wake up with a song on my mind, but usually I can relate a reason as to why it is in there like I heard it the day/night before or something. Although I like this song, I haven’t heard it in a while that I know of! I thought about it for a minute and then let it pass as I got ready to head to the gym. On the way to the gym, Chris Tomlin’s song “Home” came on the radio and there is a clear difference between the two!
Shelton’s version talks about being on the road and desiring to be back at his physical home here on earth and missing the one he loves:
Another summer day
Has come and gone away
In Paris and Rome
But I wanna go home
Maybe surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel all alone
I wanna go home
Oh, I miss you, you know
Now, there is nothing wrong with that. I know many of you spend or have spent time away from family and friends as have I even for months at a time. I actually left my wife at home with 4 little kids and went away for training for 4 months! You don’t think I wanted to be back at my physical home with my wife and kids???
But … then there is Tomlin’s version.
This world is not what it was meant to be
All this pain, all this suffering
There’s a better place
Waiting for me
In Heaven
Every tear will be wiped away
Every sorrow and sin erased
We’ll dance on seas of amazing grace
In Heaven
In Heaven
I’m goin’ home
Where the streets are golden
Every chain is broken
Oh I wanna go
Oh I wanna go
Home
Where every fear is gone
I’m in your open arms
Where I belong
Home
To be honest, I do not see these two versions of the same titled song as mutually exclusive! In 2Cor5:1-10 it says that “we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven.” This promise is established the minute we accept Christ; we are His and he has made a place for us! How awesome is that? Romans 12:2 admonishes us to “not conform to the pattern of this world.” As Christians, we should strive each day to follow and be obedient to Christ, but I also believe that we have to be cognizant of the world we are currently “in, but not of”! John 17:16-They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” But, I have seen way to many believers who are “so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good!” Ever heard that before? Ever know someone who “spiritualizes” EVERYTHING???
So, as men and leaders in our homes, we are admonished to be “present” in our homes, not just filling a space! We are instructed to teach God’s word to our children in our homes (Deut. 6:7 and 11:19). And of course, Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Teach and train are action words … verbs!
The ultimate blend of Shelton and Tomlin’s versions of “Home” is longing to be home when you are away and being fully present when you are there pouring life and love into your family! A constant struggle for sure, but keeping your priorities in order is a must: God à Spouse à Children à whatever else!
Be blessed today!
Father, I pray over each person reading this today. I ask you Abba (daddy) to help us be all we need to be to our family while keeping our eyes firmly, strongly, FIXED on you! Standing perfectly between our earthly home and our ultimate home with You!
