“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. ‘And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; ‘for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.” Luke 15:20-24
The stress of work and life isn’t necessarily caused by the individual tasks, but more so by the complexity of juggling them all at the same time. Finishing each well requires unswerving focus and perseverance. It was 3pm on the first day of Kindergarten when my busy world came to a screeching halt. The sweet lady at the school office called with the terrifying news, “We can’t find your daughter.”
I don’t remember driving to the school or leaving any explanation behind as I ran out of the office. With my heart beating in my throat, I tore into the school office like a lion hunting down prey with one pursuit – Find My Child.
And we did. A miscommunication amidst the bustle of the first day of school landed her safely in the school office to be rescued by a panicked, guilt-stricken mom trying to regain her sanity. Eight years later, it’s interesting to me that I can’t remember what went wrong that day that separated me from my child. I suppose I could if I really tried, but it doesn’t matter. I found my child. I wasn’t even mad at anyone at the school. I found my child.
That’s how it is with God. He chases us down with His love. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah fiercely pursues his cubs when we roam outside his protection. When our curiosity gets the best of us, we wanderlust into the world to explore. The more we explore the more our attention is consumed. We are allured, distracted, and then lost. With shame and regret we build walls that separate us from the love of a Holy God. Pride fools us into believing that we can hide from God. But if for a moment we shift our gaze towards the one who saves, we would see Him running to us like the Father of the wayward son.
But what about the son’s bad behavior? The Father is focused on one thing. I found my child.
God chases after you with the same fierce love. Do you have a hard time believing this? But what about my bad behavior? Consider this: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” God could remember your mistakes and all of your bad choices that make up your wall of shame, but he refuses to let sin stand between Him and His children. He has one unswerving focus – Find My Child.
Write down your mistakes.
Now, close your eyes and see the Lion running for you.
In His Unfailing Love,
brandi
