Remember in the movie, The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy and her friends were terrified to go before the great and powerful Oz? The wizard was a frightening character, loud, angry, and intimidating! Dorothy and her friends, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion, were quaking in their skin, straw, tin, and fur, nearly too petrified to explain their predicament and present their requests.

That should not, in any way, resemble our experience in approaching God. The one, true God actually yearns to have a relationship with us. He loves when we come before Him, seek Him, and speak with Him. Ephesians 3:12 says, “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Hebrews 4:16 encourages us with, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

What do we imagine being in the presence of God like? Are we afraid He will strike us with a bolt of lightning or zing us with relentless, thundering accusations? Or, do we envision a scene of peacefulness, joy, compassion, and hope? The story of the lost (prodigal) son (Luke 15:11-32) portrays God as a father who runs with welcoming arms to those ready to leave their rebellious way of life. Amazingly, we can be reassured He is waiting for us, longing for us to come ‘home’ to Him as well. I would encourage you to sit and have a daily chat with the Lord, for truly, “There’s no place like home.”