Home is one of the first songs I wrote at the beginning of this epic songwriting journey. When I first caught the melody, I had some other ideas lyrically but as I fleshed them out I started to get a feeling that it should centre around the desire and need to be in the Father’s house. I’ve been writing a lot around the themes that crop up in the story of the Lost Son as it’s a journey we’re all on in one way or another.

We were all created to part of God’s family.

We’ve all turned away from Him at some point.

When we end up in a mess, there’s a loving Father eager to welcome us home as sons and daughters.

The story which you can read in Luke 15 tells of a son who wanted adventure. He left the comfortable and familiar surroundings of home with the blessing of his Father (and his inheritance) to see the world. After a spell of wild living, he found himself literally down in the dumps hungry and tending pigs which was a shameful job for a Jewish man to be doing. When coming to his senses, he decided to return to his Father in the hope he would be allowed back home and treated as a servant… instead he was received as a son with no condemnation.

I’ve been a Christian for over 20 years and have never doubted God’s existence and that He is the creator. I’ve never in this time decided that I want to do my own thing and not follow God but it’s very easy to get distracted and sidetracked and find yourself much further from the Father than you’re meant to be. My hope is that this song will help people to step closer to God from wherever they might be on their journey.

It’s not uncommon that people think that God is angry at them which leads to sense of separation. Some people fear opening their hearts to God because they are scared that He will express His disappointment regarding their decisions. If you’re feeling far from God, He’s not wanting you to come home to shout at you… He desires a moment of reconciliation and a continued relationship. He enthusiastically welcomes us home, He celebrates our return and is eager to restore our wearied souls.

Andy Baker, Chief Enthusiast, Homegrown Worship