I want to share some things that I know about God and His Son, Jesus.
I've wondered though if I start spouting Bible verses at you right off the bat if a good majority of you will click out and be gone before I start my introduction,
Maybe you met Jesus once a long time ago and became disillusioned along the way.
I'm not kidding when I say the world is loud for a reason, constantly calling out, "Look over here! Check this out! All that Bible stuff... Meh, who needs it? Your time can be spent in far more entertaining ways!"
It's an intended distraction.
Don't kiss that frog!
I've been had the story of the prodigal son on my mind.
And, because I can't stop thinking about it and the fact that it gets to the point of what I wanted to share with you first, I've decided to throw caution to the wind and give it to you verbatim.
That's right.
I'm breaking out the Bible.
Some context: Jesus had been attracting a LOT of attention and many of the men and women that were listening to him intently were of an "undesirable sort." The religious leaders were grumbling about "those people" which triggered a response from Jesus.
“There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’
"So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’
"So they began to celebrate!"
In God's eyes, we are all the prodigal son.
Jesus was describing His Father.
He loves you so much!
But he gave you free reign over your life.
Nonetheless, He is waiting, hoping—actually yearning—for the day you will start down that long road home. It may seem dark and, oh, so distant, but press on! Take that first step.
I guarantee you that He won't wait for you to take another if you sincerely want to find your way.. He's going to meet you where you are—and you won't be able to deny his presence.
I chose to share this parable with you because it talks about the love of a father for his child. The religious leaders of the day were off track. They had deemed themselves to be in charge of who was worthy of God's love and who wasn't.
Jesus never hesitated to put them in their place because God doesn't play like that. He created all of us equally. We all must choose who it is we follow... there are but two choices.
We're all going to live forever.
The question is where.
Do you want a father like the one described here? One who loves you unconditionally no matter what? All you have to do is strike up a conversation!
Go ahead. Talk to Him. You don't have to use fancy words or thee's and thou's.
He's listening.
Your voice will be music to His ears. I am certain of it,
See you next time. :)
Love,
C