I’ve been in India for three weeks now. On our first night of ministry, I shared my testimony with the congregation. Since then, our pastor has decided that I get to share my testimony at every single gathering. He says “it’s a powerful testimony in the villages and people come to know God through it.” I realized that there are some of you who I have known my entire life, who read my blogs, but may have never heard my testimony. So, I want to share with YOU what God has done in my heart and in my life.
In the book of Luke, chapter 15, there is a story of the lost or prodigal son. It’s the story of a son who received all blessing from his father and he chose to take those blessings and walk away from his father and family. He squandered his entire inheritance on foolish living. He brought incredible dishonor to himself and his family. He eventually reached the end of his rope when he was starving and working in the fields feeding pigs. He knew he had to try to return to his father’s house and hope that his father would just hire him as a servant. He began to practice his speech as he prepared to walk home. In verses eighteen and nineteen he says:
“I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.'”
His speech was full of shame and I picture him walking home with his head hung low. He lived in shame and was afraid the things he had done were too awful for his father to forgive. But, as he was walking home, and still a long way off, his father saw him. His father was sitting there waiting and watching for his son to return home. His father ran to him. He embraced him (in his nasty, piggy mess). The son began into his speech, but the father cut him off. In verses twenty-two through twenty-four, he says:
“Bring quickly the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to celebrate.”
The father didn’t care what his son had done. He just cared that his son returned. There was nothing the son could do to change his father’s love for him.
In my life, there was a season where I was the prodigal son. My Father in heaven poured his blessings out on me. I chose to take those blessings and walk away. I spent four years of my life walking away from my Father and squandering my inheritance in foolish living. I was a drunkard and I lived for things of this world. I wanted to make my own decisions and I didn’t care what God had to say.
That season was the darkest season of my life and I lived in shame. It wasn’t until I came to the end of my rope and could carry the burden of the shame no longer that I knew I had to return to my Father. But, I was afraid the things I had done were too dark for Jesus to forgive. So, in my shame and in my nasty, piggy mess, with my head hung low, I turned to my Father in heaven, just hoping that maybe he would give me the opportunity to earn back his love and trust.
But, what I found was that as I turned around, he was already running toward me. He had been right there, watching and waiting for me to return. He ran to me, embraced me, and poured his love out on me. He didn’t care what I had done. There is nothing I can do to change the way he loves me. There is nothing you can do to change the way he loves you. There was a party in heaven the day I returned to the loving arms of my Father.
I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents – Luke 15:10
So, now I get to wake up every day and walk in the outpouring of my Father’s love. He took away my shame and I no longer carry that burden. I took up his yoke and we walk hand-in-hand now.
Take my yoke upon you; and learn from, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:29-30
I have been on this incredible life-changing journey called the World Race for four months now… how crazy is that?! God is continually refining me as I walk the process of sanctification. I am learning so much and He is doing powerful things in and through me. I have $700 left to raise by December 31st (two days away!!!) in order to continue this incredible journey. I am asking YOU to partner with me in bringing His Kingdom come to earth. Every donation is tax-deductible and makes an impact! Click the “support me” link at the top of this page to donate 🙂
