3 Sep, 2008
New Orleans Mayor: Please don't come home yet
National Guardsmen and state police promised to stop people not authorized to return. The city didn't expect to be safe enough to reopen until Thursday at the earliest.
I can't get upset, because this is an emergency, you know, said 88-year-old Malvin A. Cavalier Sr., who was turned away as he tried to return to his home in the city's Desire neighborhood. "I just have to be calm and try to do the best I can. If I have to sleep in my car again tonight, I have to do it."
(Story from the Associated Press article)
Please don't come home yet!
1 Peter 3:18
18 Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God. (NLT)
Hurricane Gustav has made "home" feel like its a long ways away for over two million evacuated residents of New Orleans. They at least know its a temporary situation and that they will be invited back soon.
God saw millions of his children separated from him, because of their own stubborness and refusal to obey him. Instead of saying "don't come home yet," though, he sent Jesus to pay the penalty for our sin and to welcome us home - right now - just as we are!
We can feel separated from God for a lot of reasons:
- We let the pressures of our busy life squeeze out time with God and for attending church and other positive activities.
- We build relationships that do not encourage our Christian walk.
- We deliberately disobey God, and the guilt we feel turns us away from him.
If we don't change something, we end up with an "emergency" of our own, and it feels like we'll never be invited back home to be with God. But that's where we are wrong. Jesus already took care of our sin. We simply have to confess our sin, and head home!
In the case of Hurricane Gustav, 88 year old Mr. Cavalier, and anyone else, can easily understand that sometimes we just have "to do the best we can" - even if that means sleeping in the car again! But as soon as the city is safe, the Mayor will welcome everyone home.
Unfortunately, too many teenagers are returning to school this fall feeling not at home at all. And they have no hope of fitting in any time soon. They look everywhere, and to everyone for acceptance, but don't find it.
As a Christ-follower, you have the opportunity to not only follow the shepherd, but to lead some lost sheep to him as well. You know the way home. Invite someone to follow you there. Everyone is always welcome!
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