Something to Think About

There is a passage in an unpublished novel by Walker Percy that captures the restlessness of the human soul. In the novel two men, who are patients in a tuberculosis sanitarium, are having a conversion:
“What’s the matter, Willy?”
“I don’t know Scanlon. I’m homesick.”
“How long have you been homesick?”
“All my life.”
St. Augustine said our souls are restless until they find their rest in God. Daily we rub elbows with people who are hurting, hopeless and helpless. They long for something more. They can’t put their finger on it – but there has to be more to life than what they know. They are homesick and they don’t know why.

The problem is they don’t even know they are not at home! They have not come to realize that, like the prodigal, they have wasted their inheritance on reckless living. They are content to eat with the pigs and wallow in filth thinking it is normal. It is our responsibility to disturb their “peace” through the preaching of the Gospel. When we are faithful to live and preach righteousness our gracious God, through the Holy Spirit, awakens the conscience of the sinner. Once awakened they realize they are far from home and are ready to receive instructions concerning the road back. Yes salvation is the work of God but part of God’s work is our preaching the Gospel. Together we are signposts along the path. It is not about us. Our responsibility is to point the way home. Is your sign in good shape? Are you displayed so others can see? It’s something to think about.

I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod