I am waiting
for you.

Luke 15:11-24
The Parable of the Lost Son
11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. 13 "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20 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 for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
(NIV Bible)

This is a story of a lost son's return home to his loving father. In the culture in which this story takes place, the son's request for his share of the inheritance before his father had died was an incredible insult to the father. It was as though the younger son was wishing that his father was dead. But as the story goes, his father gave him what he asked for and let him go. It wasn't until he had spent everything he had and ended up in a pig pen, that he realized what he had lost and decided to return home. While he was still far away, his father who had been waiting for him, saw him and ran to meet him.

Instead of a reprimand for his disobedience, the son received hugs and kisses from his loving father. Instead of being treated like a servant, his father affirmed him as his son by giving him a family robe, his ring of authority and sandals for his bare feet. Instead of demanding a season of penitence, his father cooked the best calf on the farm and threw a huge party to celebrate his son's home coming.

At one time or another, we have all been like this lost son. We have all gone our own way. But God is not looking to condemn us but is waiting for our return to Him. He can't force us to come because that would violate our freedom of choice. But He is waiting anxiously for the return of every lost child who is wandering aimlessly without hope and without a Father's love.

He has been misrepresented to us by people who have had a twisted view of who He is. He is not distant and angry, but tender and compassionate. And He is not like our earthly fathers, for He is the perfect father and He loves us perfectly. If we come home, we won't find rejection and punishment, rather hugs and kisses.

If you have strayed away from the Father's love, He is waiting for you with arms outstretched. He has a special robe with your name on it. He wants to put His ring of authority on your finger and sandals for your tired road-weary feet. Father is waiting for you to come home so He can throw you a party! So don't waste any more time, come home to the love that you have been looking for all your life.

PRAYER
Father, I acknowledge that even though I have sinned and turned away from Your love, You continue to call me home. I am not worthy to be even a servant, yet You call me Your beloved child. Your love has won my heart, so I return into Your loving arms. This is where I have always belonged and where I will stay for the rest of my life. Thank You for sending Jesus, so that He could help me find my way home. It's good to be home. In the name my Savior and big brother Jesus I pray, Amen.