Who is God and what does he want from me?
When I was younger, he was a teacher. If I raised my hand politely and voiced the right answer, he would be pleased and I would get an A.
In high school, he was a college admissions board. If I graduated Valedictorian, with a colorful résumé of well-rounded experiences, I would be qualified and accepted.
As I entered adulthood, I found God to be a boss man. If I put in long enough hours and was meticulous about my work, he would pat me on the back and promote my position.
But God is neither a teacher, an admissions board, or a boss.
He is a father.
The Church is not a business. The Church is a family.
For so long I wrapped my identity around performance. I saw God as a distant task master, who wanted my best effort and was disappointed with anything less.
So I exchanged my royal gowns for an ill-fitting work uniform. In my mind, I didn’t have a place at the table. I was lucky to be a dog, fighting for scraps.
I begged God:
‘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.’ (Luke 15:18-19)
And he replied:
‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, 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. (Luke 15:22-24)
Friends, this is the extravagant love of the Father. He calls you his own and prepares a banquet before you.
You are not a servant or a hired-hand.
You are his flesh and blood.
You are a son.
You are a daughter.
He doesn’t remember your past.
He doesn’t want your best.
He wants you.
Just you.
All of you.
But hear me – it has nothing to do with you. He is not impressed by you. You are not worthy. You are not great.
But Dad is.
And He thinks you are worth it. You bring him great joy.
Does this Truth refresh your soul?
I can hear the chains falling off right now.
What does God want from you?
Sonship.
Daughtership.
This gospel invites you to be a son or a daughter first, and then to join the work of our Father. Yes, the forces of hell are pitted against us, but we all know how Dad’s incredible story ends…
