The run-up to Christmas stirs up the mental sediment for many of us. Memories float up into consciousness of seasons past, loves lost, joys once known for many of us. The sentimental songs of the Season create dreams that are not really grounded in reality. And, for millions, the feeling of being unloved creeps up. And, too, our mistakes, misses, and sins can take hold of us, accompanied by a sense of worthlessness!

While I was thinking about people I know who are struggling with loss this year, an old Gospel song came to me –
“That God should love a sinner such as I,
should yearn to change my sorrow into bliss,
nor rest till He had planned to bring me nigh—
how wonderful is love like this!

Such love, such wondrous love,
That God should love a sinner such as I,
How wonderful is love like this.”

And now He takes me to His heart – a son;
He asks me not to fill a servant’s place.
The far-off country wand’rings all are done;
wide open are His arms of grace!”  – (C. Bishop)

Those lines are based on a parable Jesus told which I love to re-tell and have done so hundreds of times. It comes from Luke’s Gospel, 15, and is often called the story of the Prodigal Son, though I prefer to the title – “The Waiting Father.”

The young man lost his sense, lost his way, lost his fortune, and lost his love for family! He was in terrible shape, to all appearance beyond hope. His life had hit the bottom. Here he was, a good Jewish boy taking care of pigs, broke and alone. There in his desperation the memory of the Father’s house pulled at his heart. He decided-“I will go home to my father!”  

Jesus tells us that this man thought he was unloved but hoped to make a deal just to be near the old home place. “Dad, I’ve been a real fool, unworthy. Can I just work for you?”  He expected what he deserved. He received what he did not dream was possible. 
“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20, NLT)  There it is – the story of every person.

When I repeat that story my voice often fills with emotion because those words are an expression of a love so rich and frequently ignored.

We took the life God invested in us, went off to do our own thing, then hoped that we could make a deal with God to regain His favor. But, He will not play that game. Instead, “immense in mercy” He reaches out to us, fully forgiving, loving, and brings us back into His family.  The Enemy of God whispers the Lie to lost ones – “God does not care for you.  He’s abandoned the search.   You’re abandoned, alone – and you’re so lost, you can never go home!”  Don’t believe it!  The Waiting Father and the Searching Spirit are looking for the lost.   The love of heaven beckons us to turn toward home and guides us back to the Way. 

John overflows with amazement when he explains-  “God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”  (1 John 4:9-10)

Christian, have you wandered? Are you wondering if love is possible? Does your heart ache to know real care? Start with the restorative, healing, hopeful love of God shown in Christ Jesus. “Go home today!”  Pray a simple of prayer asking God to help you to know His love, to forgive you for wandering away, and then let HIS EMBRACE OF GRACE hold your heart.

Here’s a word from the Word – Read it prayerfully, carefully. Rejoice in the wonder of the amazing grace that found you!   “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)”  (Ephesians 2:1-5)

The Father’s love is deep and wide. Live in it and I pray the JOY of Jesus will fill your life.

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