Verse: Luke 15:11-32
The Parable of the Lost Son
Thoughts
This is a long passage, so if you have a second, open up your Bible, or Bible app, and read it. There are two verses I want to point out:
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.
What struck me this morning as I read this was how the Father's reaction to both sons was exactly the same. The first son runs away, disobeys him, and lives a life of hedonism—and the Father goes out to him.
The second son does everything he can to "be good" and lives a life of legalism—and the Father goes out to him.
Both sons miss the mark. The younger son goes his own way, breaks off from the Father, breaks relationship with the family, and pursues pleasure and sin. The older son thinks that by being good and following the rules he will earn favor, all the while missing the point—relationship with his Father. They both, in their own way, break relationship. And that, in the end, is what the Father most wants.
And so he goes out to them.
The Father is still going out...to us. To me. To you.
When we are stubborn and go our own, and then turn back to him, he runs out to us. When we are broken and lost, he runs out to us. When we are misguided in our religious pride, he comes out to us.
No matter what you have been through, or what you are going through, you are one "turn around" away from the Father. He is pursuing you. He is coming out to you. He is longing for relationship with you.
Today, if you feel you've drifted from your relationship with him, make the choice to turn your heart back to him. You don't have to have it all together, or have it all figured out. But you can turn your heart back to relationship, and know that when you turn, he will be right there coming out to you.
Prayer
Thank you that you never give up on me God. I receive your grace into my life today. Let my gratitude for you overflow, as I contemplate how generous your love is in my life.