Return

Genesis 35:3, “I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone” (NIV).

There’s this theme that runs through the Old Testament: The people return.

This week I’ve been listening intently as the church discusses exile and how we are, indeed, an exiled people… have been from the beginning…

There are certainly places and spaces in which we need to embrace this concept far better than we are, particularly in regard to the people who have so very literally been exiled from their homes in recent years.  If you know me, at all, you know that hospitality to the stranger… to the other… has become a very important part of my life and call.  I am going to keep pushing this… hopefully well… hopefully always…

But I’m also thinking about the big picture context of what is supposed to happen next.  Eventually, exiled people are supposed to make their way home.  And I think it’s important to consider this in a variety of contexts, because in addition to the literal circumstances, there are also metaphorical cases for exile.  And it’s not supposed to end like this.

How can we go home?  How can we help other people go home?

Thoughts to ponder…

L.