Saturday, October 5, 2013

A Chance To Come Home

For many years, my Father would go out to the road where I departed and call out for me.  He would call out that He still wanted me and that whatever I had done and wherever I had been, it would not keep me from His love. 

You see, I did not understand a Father's love.  I thought I knew what He wanted me to be and do.  I thought I knew His expectations.  I thought I knew what had to be done to warrant His embrace. But I felt that I was unworthy for my Father's house.  I could never live up to the expectations I had constructed in my mind.  As much as I tried, I could not seem to achieve the model befitting of an heir.

So, I left... 

I left with my gifts, talents and abilities and squandered them on trying to build a life that might replicate the one I had abandoned.  I tried to make my own name great.  I tried to display my talents as my own.  I tried to be benevolent with the gifts afforded my life.

But the inheritance I took with me ran out.  I had nothing left to give.  I was empty and afraid. I became angry that I could not be part of the rich life I left behind and disappointed that I could not make it on my own. 

So, I resigned to live the life of a beggar and a servant.  I served my base desires and begged for more of what would not fill me.  I was bereft of hope and sorely needing answers.

It was just then, I heard what seemed to be a familiar voice.  I barely recognized it, but it instantly soothed me.  With what strength I had left, I crawled toward it.  The closer I came, the stronger the sound...was it my Father?

Could it be?  But I had traveled so far?  ...and not even the company I was keeping could recognize me.  For a moment, I thought of how dirty I was and how I had squandered everything my Father gave to me.  But the sound of His voice....YES, it was my Father! 

I tried to get to my feet but my strength failed and I fell to my knees.  I could go no further.  But the voice grew stronger and I could hear Him say, "I am coming!  Here I come!  I am coming to get you, my son!  I still love you!  Your Daddy still loves you! PRODIGAL SON!!!...come back to my heart!"

I couldn't look up as He reached me.  I was ashamed of what I had become.  All I could see were the tears on the ground beneath me.  Then I saw His tears splash into mine.  He grabbed my chin and lifted my face.  He wiped my tears and told me that there is nothing that can separate me from His love.  I tried to explain what I had done and that I would be happy to take the scraps from His table...that begging at His table would be better than dining in hopelessness.

At that, He lifted me into His arms and placed on me the robe of righteousness.  He called out into the air..."this is my son!  he has finally come home!" 

There are many things I do not know...many things I do not understand.  But, one thing I do know is that my Father loves me.  He has gone to the ends of the earth to reach me.  He has shown me that grace has no limits and His forgiveness keeps no record of wrong.

I am the recipient of the unending, limitless, unfathomable LOVE of God expressed through Jesus Christ, His Son. 

I thank God today that I did not and do not have to die in hopelessness.  God is not calling you and me to clean up and get up.  He calls out for us to come home to His loving arms and receive the gift of righteousness through Jesus. 

Tomorrow is not promised!

(P.S. Dear Alex, R.I.P.  ...let me honor your death by proclaiming the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. ...that no one else should die before hearing me proclaim it)