Will you consider going back home to Him?

Luke 15:17 (ESV)

 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!

A family in Texas was facing unimaginable odds. Mom was expecting a baby in two weeks, but dad was dying. The year before he had been diagnosed with colon cancer, and although surgery and chemotherapy were considered successful, ten months later he began experiencing a breathing problems, and two months after that, he was so sick that he was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. The cause? More than likely, the very chemotherapy that had saved his life.

Thirteen days later, the news grew even grimmer. His condition was fatal, he had only five to six days left to live. His baby wasn’t due for another two weeks. He would never get to see his baby girl.

Dad had only one wish, a wish so dear to him that it touched mom’s heart: “I’d like to see my baby”.

Mom requested to have her baby induced two weeks early, and the procedure was scheduled. Dad and mom lay next to each other during the delivery, dad in one bed, mom in another. As soon as the baby girl was born, she was placed in her father’s arms. He wept as he held her, and the next forty-five minutes must have been the most special in his life. But then exhaustion stepped in, and he had to relinquish his baby.

Due to his weakened condition, dad was only able to hold the baby twice over the next two days, and then, only for a few minutes each time. Sadly, when the tiny baby was just two days old, dad slipped peacefully into a coma and passed away two days later.

There was another father who was dying to see his child. In this case, his child had wandered away from home with his part of his inheritance. Dad had no idea where his son was, but he walked up the hill daily to scan the horizon. “Maybe today will be the day when I will see my son again!” He never gave up to this ardent wish, and year in and year out, he scanned the horizon for this prodigal son.

After spending all his money on wild living, he found himself feeding pigs, longing to be able to eat even the pods these pigs were eating.

“I will set out and go back to my father . . .” (Luke 15:18a) He is my father after all! “. . . And say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. . .” (Luke 15:18b) I truly have missed the mark! I thought I had it all in control. Look at me now: feeder of pigs! What kind of control did I truly ever have? My waywardness was truly a rebellion against my dad and his reign.

Wow! Have we ever realized that ourselves?

“I am no longer worthy to be called your son . . . ” (Luke 15:19a)

None of us truly are! Even our meager sacrifices are insignificant compared to what Jesus did for us on the cross!

“. . . Make me like one of your hired men.” (Luke 15:19b)

Even if I could be just a fly on the wall in my Father’s kingdom, I would be truly completely satisfied!

Sooner or later we all realize this fact: We may imagine that we are in total control, but our controlling nature is really a rebellion against the authority of our Father in heaven! We are either a Christian who gives all authority to God, or we are wasting our time performing our weekly pew-warming activities.

We cannot just accept Jesus as our Savior without accepting Him as our Master (Lord) as well. Just like we can’t drive a car without gasoline (or other technical advances in this aspect)! The “it’s MY car!” philosophy will not help keep the vehicle moving. We have to accept the fact that it can only function with gas.

What can we expect, when we give ourselves, just as we are, with all our imperfections, over to the will of God?

“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 15:20b)

There was a great celebration right then and there! The only thing this wayward son had ever done right was to simply go home! Going home means we accept the sovereignty of our Father. We understand that He truly cares for us, despite what our opinions may have been during our wilder days.

Let’s remember that this same son had turned his back on his dad in favor of wild living, a living that was diametrically opposed to his father’s wishes. However Dad never opposed him. Opposing would only have made matters worse. Instead Dad kept on praying for his wayward son to come back home. And after years of patient waiting, His prayers were, indeed, answered.

Your loving Heavenly Father is also scanning the horizon from His hill, looking for you. His only wish is for you to come back home and hold you in His arms.

How much does He love you? So much that He was willing to die for you on a cross.

Will you consider going back home to Him?

Dear Lord, thank You for dying for us. We thank You that even when we stray You are there looking for us to come back. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.