There Is A Place Of Welcome

There is a place of welcome. When I feel lost, cold and afraid there is a place of welcome. When I am tired and the questions I can't answer seem to be screaming in my head there is a place of quiet rest, there is a place of welcome. When my heart is hurting for myself and those I love there is a place of sweet comfort, there is a place of welcome. There is place where I am safe a place of full release, there is a place of welcome.

She needed a place of welcome. She sat weeping by the well she was alone, well not really alone. She was pregnant. She had been rejected and sent away. She could see nothing through her tears but that was when she received her welcome. She didn't go to Him. He came to her. He came to her with comfort, direction and the promise of His blessing. She had felt invisible in her pain, unwanted, unseen,

uncared for. He showed her she was wrong. After her encounter she named Him “The God who really sees.” Her name was Hagar.

She needed a place of welcome. She didn't understand, she thought she'd understood but she didn't. She thought He loved her that He would come to her in her darkest hour but He didn't. She had asked Him to come. She had waited for Him to come, looking, longing through the dark nights, until it was too late. Her brother died. He was buried and all that left were the memories and the question, “Why didn't He come?” But He did come. He came with the promise of resurrection. There was welcome, there was joy, there was hope, there was promise. Her name was Martha.

He needed a place of welcome. He thought he was better than he was but he had failed. When he had been needed most he had not been there. He had always seen himself as a strong man one on whom others could lean but when he had been put to the test he wavered and hid in the shadows. He heard the cry of pain but did not go the his friend's rescue. He was lost in his since of unworthiness, that's where Jesus found him. Jesus welcomed him, forgave him, restored him to a position of leadership. His name was Peter.

Lord Jesus, You are the door that leads to the place of welcome. The place of welcome where we find a quiet rest. The place of welcome where there is sweet comfort. The place of welcome where our heart at last finds full release. Lord Jesus, You are the door through which we find welcome near to the heart of God.