I titled this series The Long Road Home because I have felt like the prodigal son.
I can only imagine how long the road felt for him when he was making his was home. He had no idea how he would be received by his father. It must have felt miles more than it really was because he was ready to get it over with.
But he found at the end of that tortuously long road was so beautiful…
"I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: 'Father, I have sinned against you. I am no longer worthy to be called you son; make me like one of your servants.' So he got up and went to his father. But when his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; ge ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.' – Luke 15:18-20
He found freedom and redemption and grace.
To find these things though the son has to swallow his pride. He left because he thought he could do things better apart from his father. And with swallowing his pride came admitting his dependence on his father. He couldn't do it alone.
I am the prodigal son.
I tried over and over again to do it on my own apart from my father – the Father.
I can look back on my life and pin point the times when I made decisions on my own. Those are the times I ran, gave up, and stopped fighting. When I chased safety.
Thankfully I serve a God who instead of saying,
"Well, you sure screwed that up! Have fun fixing it!"
He says,
"It's okay. I delight in working all things together for your good." – Romans 8:28
Instead of saying,
"You have to clean this mess up yourself."
He hugs me and kisses me and says,
"I have prepared the banquet table for you! Come and feast with me."
And that is humbling.
And that is beautiful.
And I want more of that.
– more feasting at the table of grace and mercy
– more dependence on the Father who sets on the table for me
He isn't safe but he is good.
I am the prodigal son but I have taken the long road home.
