Mark West
April 20, 2009
Just wanna go home
By Mark West

"But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake." — Philippians 1:23-24

Did my Resurrection Day missive leave you a little lost? My wife said it jumped around and didn't really make much sense.

Honestly, I meant to do that! I was conveying the disjointed, busy-ness that accompanies every annual Resurrection Day celebration. Eggs, candy and family dominate this event each year. Time for thoughtful introspection is hard to find.

As I took time to think, I remembered a trip that I took to Pennsylvania as a child to visit my grandparents. My first night ever being so far away from home, I cried in fear because I just wanted to go home.

Do you ever feel like you just didn't want to be here anymore? Like somehow this world wouldn't miss a beat if you abandoned your instrument? Don't you ever just wanna go home?

I often struggle with the desire to go home. I want to escape the pressure of letting people down. I'm tired of doing things that I'm certain disappoint God. Yet, as soon as I entertain such a thought, I always recall that my local band still needs me to play.

As far as the grand portrait is concerned, I'm insignificant...but my little Polaroid affords me substance. My wife needs my love, support, and security. My children need my discipline and direction. My cats...well...they need a new home! Does anybody want a couple of knucklehead cats?

We struggle with our desire of a painless existence of peace and harmony. However, we must accept that it isn't our time. God still has a reason for our being here.

We should embrace it and realize that it is worth it to hang around...even when times come that you don't feel like it...times when you just wanna go home.

© Mark West

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Mark West

Mark West is Corporate Office Manager for Mechanical Construction Services, Inc., in Newark, Arkansas, and serves in an evangelistic preaching ministry. He is a devoted husband to his wife Kristy and father of three children. As a political analyst, he devotes his writing and speaking to the social and financial impact of public policy. Mark is a member of the Constitution Party, serving in public relations for Arkansas.

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