2. Lost and Found - moving towards the Fathers house

We continue to consider the story of the lost son (Luke 15:11-32), the story is very clear that the younger son made a definite choice to go in the direction away from his fathers house. He asked for his inheritance and took it; remarkably the father gave it to him. To the father this was a great cost. The sons should have been working in the fathers house and by living and prospering together the fathers' wealth and therefore their own would have increased. The younger son shows signs of impatience, he wanted it now and he could not wait - the world today is much like this, and in the process others are trampled on, just like the father and the older son in the story, they are disregarded, they are the unwanted family. How often do we prefer something or others rather than God and His family - the Church. God is treated as unnecessary for living.

In our lives today we often make small choices that are in the direction away from the Fathers house, away from the true way of inheriting Christ. We might not consider ourselves as 'prodigals' but in the depths of our hearts we find ourselves along way from home, emotionally tired, spiritually hungry, without comfort or help and sometimes desperate - in need of turning back to the Father in heaven, least we begin to destroy ourselves. It seems at times that there are many who have been in such situations for a long time...we must decide in our minds and hearts to move towards God, and as we do so wonderfully He draws closer to us (See James 4:8). No matter how far we have gone away from God, we can turn, repent of our sin, and move towards the Fathers house.

In this spiritual journey which we live, breathe and move, we need to constantly be aware of the direction we are travelling. As the lost son drew closer to his father's house, the father was watching and waiting and moved closer to his son, so it is with our Heavenly Father, He has chosen to move towards us by His precious Son Jesus Christ. He has left His house, breaking the rules...shocking the world...moving towards us in grace. Let nothing hinder us from moving in this direction, the way of grace; of acceptance; of love and mercy; of forgiveness and restoration. How many people are half hearted in this spiritual direction, they will repent but will not move towards God physically, emotionally and spiritually - it is in the Father's arms, in His house, in eating His food and wearing His clothes where we find ourselves His children again. His house is the house which restores, feeds, and loves with all mercy.

Matthew Armstrong
Blantyre
Issue 17: 18th Jan 2010