RTW 2022

“So, he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.“
Luke 15:20

At some point, we’ve all been or will be a prodigal:

• one who spends or gives lavishly and foolishly.
• one who has returned after an absence.

(not only referring to earthly lavish lifestyle and foolish behavior)

Spiritual speaking, we have all

• Spent the grace, mercy, love, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness of God foolishly.
• Stirred ourselves away from the teaching our of wise Father.
• Senselessly left the safe boundaries He set for us

Our Generous, Wise, Faithful Father is not a bully. He will not make use stay. He will

• Let us go our own way, knowing where our own way will lead us.
• Leave us alone while we do our thing, knowing our own thing is potentially harmful in every way.
• Look for our return, knowing our return would bring the greatest joy to Him and the greatest peace for us.

And upon our return we will,

• Reap what we sow, but the reaping with be covered by His grace and mercy.
• Realize life apart from God is not worth the cost, and repent our foolishness and sin.
• Rest in the safe arms of our Father, because it is the only real resting place for us to be.

We can always return. He is always looking for us.

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I loved this truth by Adam Clark about riches.

“Riches promise MUCH, and perform NOTHING: they excite hope and confidence, and deceive both: in making a man depend on them for happiness, they rob him of the salvation of God and of eternal glory.” – Adam Clarke

I’m never so far, been so foolish, or lived so sinfully that I can’t return to God.