Welcome Home

I've been thinking what to write about for a few days now. It's been the start of the University year here & next week, I'll blog about my experiences across the country over the past few weeks. But yesterday, I was driving to campus with Classic Hits (our local radio station) playing. The song that was playing was one I learned last year, sung by a NZ legend, who also happens to be a Christian, Dave Dobbyn. The song playing was called "Welcome Home" & is an iconic Kiwi song.

In the song, Dobbyn sings of the welcome New Zealand and its people afford to those visiting these islands. His words resonate with someone like me, an outsider in a foreign land. He sings of "a strange land" and at times, New Zealand has felt strange to me - not what I'm used to, not what I'm comfortable with.

He sings of the sacrifices made to be here. Most people have made sacrifices to be here in NZ - its distance from other places mean there are time and cost sacrifices made, not to mention the costs of being far from family and friend. Frequently, the sacrifices made to be here affect us in one way or another.

And yet, in the midst of that, Dobbyn sings of the outstretched hand saying "Welcome Home!"

The welcome here has been great, and while for us, New Zealand isn't the home we grew up in, it is now our second home - our home from home. However, as a Christian, I am reminded that NZ, nor England, Ireland or anywhere else is my true home - that still awaits. (It doesn't stop me being a proud Yorkshireman!)

Dobbyn sings of how out here on the edge, the Empire is fading away. I'm not sure it's just on the edge that it's fading away! We do feel on the edge - we're on the edge of new things as each day, we're the first place in the world to welcome the new day, we're on the edge as new ideas/thoughts and practises are encountered and tried. I trust we are the on the edge of great things as God works amongst the people here in NZ.

The resounding theme of the song is one of welcome. Dobbyn uses the Maori phrase for welcome "Harae Mai". New Zealand is one of the most welcoming places I have ever been. God has brought us here, to a welcoming people to share the Good news of Jesus. We long for people to hear the message and be welcomed by God into His Kingdom.

Until I hear a far greater voice say "Welcome Home" as I'm welcomed to my true home, that is my task, my life, my business.

PS I've just arrived back from Auckland on an Air NZ flight. The steward on board was a cheery sort of chap. His opening announcement in Auckland went "Welcome on board this flight from Auckland to Wellington - we're going home - wahey!" It was great to be reminded being homeward bound is an exciting experience!

Welcome Home - Dave Dobbyn

Tonight I am feeling for you
Under the state of a strange land
You have sacrificed much to be here
‘There but for grace…’ as I offer my hand

Welcome home, I bid you welcome,
I bid you welcome,
Welcome home from the bottom of my heart

Out here on the edge
The empire is fading by the day
And the world is so weary in war
Maybe we’ll find that new way

So welcome home,
See I made a space for you now
Welcome home from the bottom of our heart
Welcome home from the bottom of our hearts

Keep it coming now - keep it coming now
You’ll find most of us here with our hearts wide open
Keep it coming now - keep on coming now, keep it coming now -
Keep on coming now

There’s a woman with her hands trembling - Haere Mai
And she sings with a mountain’s memory - Haere Mai
There’s a cloud the full length of these isles
Just playing chase with the sun
And it’s black and it’s white and it’s wild
All the colours are one,

So welcome home, I bid you welcome, I bid you welcome,
Welcome home from the bottom of our hearts,
Welcome home, see I made a space for you now
Welcome home from the bottom of our hearts
From the bottom of our hearts