#21 My Heart Undressed | Come Home

JANE PHINNEY: May our unions be gateways to Jesus, not stumbling blocks to experiencing His love & forgiveness. AMEN!

COME HOME TO ME

By Jane Phinney

Listen to the podcast version: Brought to you by Grace Life International.

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My Prodigal Son

Come home to Me

The gods you serve

Can’t set you free

Your flesh had a party

You dropped your guard

You opened the gate

The enemy roams your yard

The lust of your flesh

Stubborn pride in your life

Have exposed and neglected

Your precious babes and wife

Your selfish pursuits

Cause the chasm to grow

I have not changed

You reap what you sow

You have robbed My glory

And given to another

You mock My sacrifice

And offend your Brother

Once and for all, son

It’s time to die

It’s time to grow up

And stop living a lie

Stop blaming others

For your sin and your shame

Life’s not about you

You must lose it to gain

In my kindness I lead you

To repentance and grief

Godly tears and true sorrow

Bring healing and relief

I want all of you, son

Not a part of the whole

I want your true love

Spirit, body and soul

In humility seek Me

My arms open wide

I’m running to meet you

You won’t be denied

I wrote this poem years ago as I watched young men put their marriages & families in second place to the pursue position, success & money.

They erroneously assumed there was adequate time to tend their personal “flock”….later…much later. The reality that tomorrow never comes & we are only assured of the day we’re in, has always been true. It stands as a flashing red light in our driven culture today. Years passed in a blink, & you’re left wondering how you ended up in such a disheartening place. You thought your capable wife would be fine. And now your babies are older, & floundering in memories of neglect. How did this happen?

Overall, our society is moving further & further away from the traditional pursuit of Biblical marriage & family.

So now, more than ever, it’s critical to go against the flow & swim upstream as a husband & father. God never caves to cultural norms & Jesus still needs a few good men, as the old song says. It may not be popular, or easy, to love your wife like Christ loves the Church (Ephesians 5:25-27), or to live with your wife in an understanding way so that your prayers aren’t hindered (1 Peter 3:7). You might have to seek counsel so that you don’t unknowingly exasperate your children (Ephesians 6:4). And in 1 Timothy 5:8, it is implied that to not think /comprehend/care beforehand about provisions needed, is a denial of faith that is worse than an unbeliever. (Key Word study Bible; lexical aid #4306)

It certainly isn’t getting any easier to live in trusting obedience. But the place to start is where you’re at & the time to start is today. Though the responsibilities of Biblical manhood are enormous, it IS possible for a redemptive work to be accomplished through a humble, submissive dependence on the indwelling life of Christ. (Lest this Truth be sabotaged by comparison, I’d like to note that this same submission to Christ is also required of wives & mothers who are pursuing God’s best in their home.)

I still pray for the marriages that inspired this poem, plus many others. And I continue to pray for my own marriage. Marriage is not for the faint-hearted. Growth is always ongoing, never dull, & sometimes painful. Ultimately, marriage is about far more than our personal happiness.

As a living photo of Christ & the Church to the world, it is often necessary for participants to be pruned & disciplined. Marriage is a blessing but also a great responsibility requiring awareness of possible eternal consequences. May our unions be gateways to Jesus, not stumbling blocks to experiencing His love & forgiveness. AMEN!

Worship with me today. Scott Krippayne, Breath of Grace.

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