This song "Always Be My Home" performed by Rachael Lampa, has ministered to me for the past few days after the results of the U.S. Presidential Election.
In case you have not heard, times are troubled and tough here in the United States of America. People are scared. People are angry. People are hurt. People are wounded. People are very upset with the outcome of this election. However, there are also people who are happy, if not elated, by the election results. This message is for the ones who are fearful of their future and worried about what tomorrow holds.
God always gets His message across to me best when He speaks to me through music created by His children who have the gift of song.
A few days ago, God led me to remember this song "Always Be My Home" by Rachael Lampa. His timing was perfect because He brought it to my memory just as I was starting to downward spiral into a dark place with all the woes of the world and the injustice in North America. He sent this song to me just when I was depressed about how when you're Black in this world, you literally have no place to go to be relieved of all the negativity and hatred directed toward you just because of your skin color and heritage. No matter how professional, perfect and amicable you are, there are still people who can pull the race card and make you feel next to nothing. You cannot even return "home" to "The Motherland (Africa)" to escape the oppression and injustice because systematic racism, bigotry and oppression was brought to the continent of Africa and exists in many of its countries. So where are you supposed to go? What are you supposed to do? I tell you, I was spiraling downward deep and quite quickly into despair and darkness...until God threw me a lifeline. He gave me insight into this song.
I realized that God's heart will "always be my home" and it made perfect sense. Despite not having anywhere to go in this world to breathe easy, be prosperous and not deal with racism and injustice directed to people of color, we still have Someone who welcomes us with open arms, treats us fairly, and can make a safe place for us through a saving relationship with Him. God is that Someone and He invites us to enter a safe state of being by trusting Him with the outcome for everything during our lives here on Earth. We may not have tangible solace in any physical location in this world but have very real comfort when we draw near to His heart of compassion.
The Bible says to "draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). We can be anywhere in the world and experience God's comforting closeness. We can live in a nation divided against people of color and still have peace because God can give us a "peace that passes all understanding" (Philippians 4:7). We can be discriminated against and still have love because God is love and He loves us. We can be hurt and still be healed because God is the Great Physician and He cares about every detail in our lives. We may not have a "safe place" in a physical location of this world to seek refuge but we can feel safe in the arms of Jesus Christ (God's Son) who is the Savior of the world. Our Savior is everywhere for everyone in the world.
The song "Always Be My Home" is about God's forgiveness, grace and mercy. He loves you and no matter how far you've strayed from His Peace and Presence, you can always come home. He's waiting to welcome you back with open arms. Why? Because His Heart is your home and He loves you!
I love it that God's Heart of compassion provides that safe place that we so desperately need and in the midst of these turbulent times, I choose to trust a God who forgives, blesses and restores. I choose to trust His Heart for humanity and know that He is in control. God is still on His throne and He is the ultimate authority. God is fair. He delivers justice that's not blind. He's watching out for His people in this nation and throughout the world. He loves you and wants to offer you peace in the storms of life. Draw near to Him and experience Him drawing near to you.
Remember, there is hope when God is in the picture...and God is always in the picture! I say this to encourage you and to encourage myself. Finally, I ask that if you talk to God and trust Him, please pray for our nation and our people. We need it.
