“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.” Luke 15:20 NIV
On Thursday evening I had an impromptu discussion with a group of men about the pain, the hurt, the life altering paths that actions in our youth often cause. I love the parable of the prodigal son because I can relate as a prodigal and I love the assurance that Jesus delivered with this beautiful story.
If you have not read this parable, it can be found in Luke 15:11-32.
The discussion we had on Thursday moved to relationship with Jesus. Having a past in consumer product development and marketing strategies, I outlined with the group the sales strategies of push and pull. We discussed how pulling (appealing) to someone often results in a lifelong customer versus pushing (guilt/peer pressure) the same thing, likely results in a one time, resent-filled sale/action. Whew, a long way to set the stage.
As I talked with these men, God placed the parable of prodigal son on my heart. The question that kept arising was “why did the father not leave and go find his son?”
Now as a prodigal son for over 20 years, I asked my dad after I had surrendered my life to Jesus at age 41 and decades of living like hell, why he did not come after me and correct me? His answer revealed wisdom, pain and hope. He said, would you have listened? And then said, “so I chose prayer believing in its power and of God’s love for you (me).” (I can visualize my father, sitting in his chair, surrounded by Bibles and periodicals and notepads filled with thoughts, praying for me. I now see him running in Heaven’s fields waiting to greet every prodigal he knows who found Christ.)
The Parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us that God awaits us. That he awaits a heart transplant that drives us to him. That his undeniable love pulls us to him. That he does not push himself on us, rather offers himself to us. That circumstance and self belief need to give way to surrender and handing the reins of our life to him. That not everyone will be joyful in our homecoming to Christ and that’s okay. That we only need to keep our eyes focused on him and the marvelous plans that he has and always has had for our lives.
So, I listened Thursday evening with a grateful heart as we discussed God’s amazing Grace and Mercy. I marveled that while our past sins are forgiven, the forgetting on our past remains the limiting variable for the life we were created to give and live. I heard that the Church and the local church need to greet the prodigals coming home to Christ with the joy, love and rushing toward them with arms wide open that described the father greeting his son. I love that every life has a unique story deserving to be heard and loved.
I choose arms wide open. After decades of insecurity and pushing away, I choose the risk of hurt for the immeasurable gift of relationship and love. Jesus awaits you if you do not know him. He waits to wrap his arms around you and say, “all is forgiven, now join me for the feast that is life living in me.”
You are so much more valuable than this World will ever reveal. That pulling on your heart is the truth, love and promise of eternity found only in relationship with Jesus. So much more than enough.
You’ve got this.