"To transform home is to transform the world. Domestic revolts are spiritual and political ones as well," --Diana Butler Bass
The transformation of what a home is and who lives in a home is changing. In some ways, it is a return to the past... people are starting urban farms, learning to butcher meat, raising chickens, etc. And in some ways it is a leap into the future. Skyping or FaceTiming so that you can join one another for dinner though miles away, creating economic alternatives like multi-family households, etc.
But what does "home" mean, really? Home is not really a place. It is more of a feeling. A sense of belonging and purpose and identity that grounds you to who you are. That is why the old adage "you can't go home again" often rings true. When we move away from our childhood homes we often change in ways that alter our sense of belonging and identity and purpose and so 'home' can never feel the way it did when we were younger. And yet, rootedness in that way of life will continue. Meaning your roots will never leave, but your sense of what 'home' is will forever be landing somewhere else.
The Exodus story is filled with painful and longing images of home. Home that was ripped away from the Hebrews when they were forced into slavery by the Egyptians. Home as a promised land as they were led away by the pillar of cloud toward Canaan. Home as an unsettled place during the diaspora. And yet in Acts 2, we have such a beautiful sense of what Peter sees as the image of home for the earliest of Christians. Home is people who devote themselves to a common purpose. Home is people who believe in sharing what they have with one another. Home is giving to everyone who needs it. Home is meeting together around the dinner table and discussing the ordinary with one another. Home is a place that all are grateful to find.
The old hymn says it best... Home is not a place, home is God.
"O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home."
No matter how much life changes, our sense of home in the presence of God and God's people remains constant.
What are your favorite stories of 'home?" Would you come and share one with us on Sunday?
Email me at peverhart@niwotumc.org or comment by clicking on the comments tab below.
No comments:
Post a Comment