Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Lamentations 3:40
This is an hour of returning.
When I ask Him what He is saying, I hear the Lord say over and over again with unrelenting fervency,
Return to Me.
What does it mean to return to the Lord, truly?
I see a Bride returning home to the place of her Bridegroom, laying down all her appointments and plans. Putting her wedding gown on, she sits by the open window with open heart, looking out for her Beloved to come home. Watching, waiting.
I see the Good Shepherd sitting on the grass beneath the apple tree. He is waiting for His adored one to come sit with Him again. Just to be, just to sit and breathe in, and then out again. He just wants to be with you in quiet assurance again.
I see the worn but vacant armchair in the living room corner by that dim, warm lamp. It beckons for you to come and sit with the Word again. To wake up in the quiet dark dawn before the sound breaks in. Bible in your lap, that warm light spilling over crisp pages turned open and stirring. At peace in a world of pain and tribulation because you possess the Words of the Word Himself, Life that fills and feeds, so, all is well.
I see an abandoned crown this time. It once graced your head and filled you with delight, so much delight, especially as you danced before Him when you entered in. You were glad to wear it, and yet equally full of joy as you willingly laid it down before His feet. On that closet floor that made your knees sore and your feet fall asleep, you would kneel for hours or minutes, and minutes or hours, just to be. Just to be who you really are in the presence of the Only One Who knew it without question.
I see an old wooden gate just cracked, with jasmine vines and a familiar breeze beckoning, saying, “Arise, come home, come in!” This is the gate to home, to Him. To the warm fire crackling and blankets nearby. To laughter and the sweet smell of just now oven-ed apple pie. Here you have a seat at the table that no one else sits in, just you, and He saves it and waits. He stands at the gate, waiting for His child to remember his place, to receive her real name, and come running back home.
The Lord is calling His people, the ones who bear His name, who He made to live loved and to choose true love, to return again. Return to the place of your First Love. Whether that is through a gate or in settled in an armchair, under the apple tree on sun warmed-grass or the quiet closet floor, it is time to return to the place where you began on fire for Him. Ask and you will recieve that fire again. Lay down the lies and excuses, “I’ve got to’s’ or “I’m afraid if’s”. Return to the Lover of your soul.
So much has happened.
So much has come in between. Not because you wanted that distance. No, you wanted His nearness. It’s just sometimes the pain, the hope deferred, the losses felt like He had left. For some, yes it was the lure of distraction or sin. These were easier than returning. For others it was not sin but sadness and just not wanting to face pain again. For others still the season of trial and valleys multiplied year after year, and the fire started to weaken from the journey that went on so long. He had your will, but your heart, your hope, had died to survive.
It is time.
He sees it all and knows your why, and yet, the answer has always been…
Him.
Return to Me, He says, My Beloved,
so you can BE again.
Exist in My Love and love Me first.
There is no distance too great if you choose to repent, arise and return again.
