Safely Home

 
“We’re home,” our adult daughter Lori said on the other end of the line.  After the much anticipated phone call, we breathed a sigh of relief and prayer of thanks, as we have for so many years of these calls.  It’s every parent’s joy to know that their children—no matter the age—are safely home. 

Our Heavenly Father waits, too, with anticipation for the “call” from His child to receive His Son, Jesus Christ, as Savior. He desires that we will all arrive to our eternal home by taking that step.  The Bible reminds us that all heaven rejoices when a sinner turns to Jesus.
But what about family or friends who have never repented or have wandered far from God with each turn on their earthly journey?  When we travel and become lost, we get directions.  In like manner, if we trust Christ as Savior, we can help others find the way.  Perhaps their heart is restless for answers. Homecoming can be an especially joyous time to those who have been away the longest.
God has not left us alone to help others find their way.  He says, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you," (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).  We will find great joy in pointing the lost toward Him. Here are some Biblical guidelines to help you:
 
1.  Pray for friends and family.  Some may have never known the way; others may have forgotten it.  Ask the Holy Spirit to draw hearts toward Him.  Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them,” (John 6:44).
 
  2.  Prepare to share your hope here and assurance of heaven. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have,” (I Peter 3:15).  One way to be ready is to memorize Scripture.  Another way is to give your testimony of repentance and salvation through Christ.   Write, practice, and pray over it.  Every story is meant for someone.
 
3.  Demonstrate the joy of your faith so others will be drawn to what you have.  Even in the darkest of hours we can speak of our faith in Christ and His grace that sustains.  Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us that “the joy of the Lord is your strength."
 
4.  Anticipate that God will send someone your way.  Generally, discussions of eternal significance come when we least expect them.  Perhaps a co-worker will strike up
a conversation, or you will receive a call that gives opportunity for sharing.  Maybe a neighbor needs help, and you are able to share your faith.  If we know Christ, we are commanded to share the Good News.  Jesus reminds us, “I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last,” (John 15:16).
 
 5.  Finally,  In the course of witnessing or sharing scripture with someone, you may sense the Holy Spirit prompting you to lead that individual to accept Jesus Christ as Savior.  Simply ask that family member or friend if that is the case and lead him/her in a prayer similar to this:
 “Dear God, I know that I am a sinner, but I believe that Jesus died so that my sins can be forgiven.  I accept this forgiveness and offer of eternal life.  Thank you for forgiving my sins and help me to follow you from this day forward.”
 
Let us actively prepare to share God’s plan of salvation with unbelievers.  How wonderful it will be when with confidence and joy we can say, “They will make it home safely.”