My Soul Sings ~ Housefires
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was
still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran
to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. ~ Luke 15:20 NIV
In the “Parable of the Lost Son,” the son demanded his
inheritance, left, and squandered it all. At his lowest point, he decided to go
home, hoping to just be a hired hand. But his father, who’d been watching for
his son’s return, ran to him and immediately welcomed him as his son who’d come
home, (see Luke 15:11-20). As Christ-followers, we remember being fully aware
of our unworthiness when we turned toward Jesus. But filled with compassion and
love for us, Jesus forgave and welcomed us home. He ran, meeting us where we
were on our journey.
Luke 15:20 says the son was “still a long way off” when
his father ran to him. Just as the father didn’t wait till his son was all the
way, Jesus met us at the exact place where we were when our hearts turned
toward Him. In that moment, our lives didn’t look redeemed. Rather they looked
messed up and crazy, because we were “still a long way off.”
I have some friends who are waiting till they “look the
part” and are “perfect” before they’ll meet God. The last time I met with them,
it was awkward, but Holy Spirit reminded me this is where they are—it’s as far
as they’ve come on their journey toward Jesus. If the Lord was willing to meet
me where I was, who am I to not meet someone else on their journey?
Where are your co-workers, neighbors, friends, and family—children,
parents, siblings, etc.—on the road to meeting Jesus? Just as Jesus ran to meet
you where you were, ask Holy Spirit to help you meet others right where they
are on their journey and show them the way home.
©Heather Potts 2020
No comments:
Post a Comment