Return

Coming back to a place you once were. Is that what it means to return?

I grew up in Fergus Falls, MN. That was my home. If I was to go back I would return to my old stomping grounds.

I long to someday go to Turkey to see the sites of the churches of the New Testament. I would not say I was returning to Turkey. I’ve never been there; how can I return?

The prodigal (Luke 15:11-32) returns home. He returns to his relationship with his father. He comes back to a place he once was. He comes back into relationship with his father.

So often the Christian faith becomes one of “going” and “doing” – the more activity the better, but there is an important balance to have. There is an important understanding to acquire. There is an important relationship to have with God that is reflected both in the busyness and work ethic of Martha and the submission and silence of Mary. (See Luke 10:38-42)

Martha gets frustrated with Mary because she sits around. However, she happens to be sitting at the feet of Jesus, being in His presence, listening to Him speak. Jesus sees Martha and all the work she is doing and chides her for her lack of interest and attention devoted to Him. She is so concerned with her own agenda and getting things done, she misses out on the opportunity and her need to spend time at the feet of Jesus.

John boy’s (my son, not the guy in the Walton’s) relationship with his mother is a good model of how we are to be with Jesus. John boy goes off and plays. He can easily get engrossed in what he is doing. But it never lasts long. He is always asking, “Where’s momma?” Usually she’s in the next room or in the same room but just out of his line of sight. He is always looking for his momma. When he gets hurt, he wants his momma. When he is hungry, he asks his momma for food. When he is angry, he even tends to take it out on his momma. When he is acting inappropriately, more often than not, she is the one to discipline him. When he is tired and wants to be held, he looks for momma.

The difference is momma can get tired of being the one to constantly meet his needs. She needs help and needs a break from his demands. Jesus doesn’t. He never tires of being there for you. He never tires of meeting the needs you have. He never tires of your seeking him out. Anytime you look for Him, He is there waiting for you. Anytime you need to return from whatever difficult place you’ve been, you are always welcomed, cared for, and given exactly what you need (in His way and in His timing).

But we can’t be Mary’s all the time. There is work to be done. There is ministry to do. God has put us here to serve Him which means getting off the floor and doing the tasks he has put before us. Those tasks are not the tasks we determine for ourselves, but instead the challenge lies in doing the work God would have us do.

Maybe it’s time to return to the feet of Jesus and rest for a while. Maybe it’s time to start doing the work He would have you do and let go of what you have thought so important. But it is always important and necessary for us to return to the feet of Jesus. We can’t stay away for very long.