“For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:24 NIV).
Have any of you ever been lost? Once I decided not to follow the detour signs, because we all know that is long way, and I took off onto a country road in hopes of a shorter way. Well, I ended up weaving around corners and got completely lost. I have no sense of direction, which doesn’t help matters. I was getting really worried and a tad scared because I didn’t know where I was at all. This was before cell phones so I couldn’t even call someone to help me. I decided to do something a man would shudder at….stop and ask for directions. I was soon on my way to the correct road. I was relieved when I found the route I was looking for and I learned a valuable lesson. Follow the signs.
The son in the above verse was very lost in a different way because he took all of his inheritance and blew it all partying. Then a famine hit and there he was working in a pigpen slopping the hogs. He had hit bottom and was even considering eating the pig slop. Then he came to his senses and decided to go home and repent of sins and beg his father for a job. Here is the part that brings tears to my eyes, because the father ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. He was so glad that his lost son had come home.
This parable is about being lost in sin and repenting and what God does for us afterwards. The world entices with things that look like fun, but ends up destroying lives. This son thought that it would be fun to be on his own and live the high life, but after he lost his money all of his friends left him. He was alone in a pigsty. Ever felt like that? Sin can leave you in a very lonely desperate state. But guess what? The Lord is waiting for you to repent and come running to Him. He will take you in His arms and give you peace and your sins will be forgiven. But you must take the first step.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for being there when we are at our lowest. You come running to us with your arms opened wide saying that you love us anyway. All we have to say is that we strayed and want to come back to you. We know that you will forgive us and love us in spite of our faults. Help us to make you proud and strive to follow your ways.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
