Reunited

Good morning! I hope you had an amazing weekend and are entering this week with enthusiasm and energy. This weekend was a great time for me and my oldest son Christopher as we spend the weekend together doing some site seeing here in Corpus Christi.

I am very excited as I write this week’s encouragement. I will be flying back to Pennsylvania in a few short hours to be reunited with the remainder of my family. We have been apart for 3 weeks now and we are ready to bring this chapter of separation to a close.

Today I want to focus on this thought of being reunited. Our lives are filled with constant distractions and temptations that drive a wedge between us and God. None of us ever set out to become isolated from God, but over time we tend to drift. And as we drift we grow farther apart from the closeness and intimacy we once had with God. A few days without prayer, turns into a few weeks and before long we have no prayer life. We miss a few church services and before you know it, we haven’t darkened the doors of a church in years.

So what do you do if you find that you’ve drifted away? Jesus gave the illustration of a son who left home and went his own way (the parable of the prodigal son). In this account the son goes his own way and squanders all of the talents, abilities and resources that his father has given him. Once he arrives at rock bottom, he realizes that being back with his father, even as a servant is better than the life he is now leading.

Many of us reach this point, but find ourselves trapped by fear. We wonder if we have crossed a line of no return with God. Are we now disqualified from his favor because of our choices? I have great news for you today; God always welcomes his children home with open arms.

Luke: 15:19 (HCSB)

So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.

I’ve always visualized this verse in a unique way. I grew up in Kansas and had many friends who lived on farms. Most of their driveways were anywhere from ¼ to ½ mile from the road to the house. I always visualize this scene as the father standing at the end of that long driveway, looking down that country road for any signs of movement. Then one day he sees something…as he looks closer he sees it is young man. As the figure moves closer he sees his son and the father can’t help but to run. He grabs his son in his loving arms and at that moment the past is forgotten. The slate is wiped clean. Father and son are reunited.

Today you may find yourself separated from the closeness you once experienced with God. If that describes you, I want you to realize that God is standing at the edge of the road awaiting your return. If you will turn around and start back towards Him, I guarantee you will find Him running towards you with arms wide open.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl