RETURN TO THE FATHER I

In the famous story of the son that took his inheritance and went away to be grown up, cool and taste the wild side in Luke 15, is a story to which many can relate. When someone chooses this path there is often a break in the action to evaluate the choices they have made and the path they have taken. What we know, even if we don’t know how to do it, is that something else needs to happen other than what’s happening.

Though it may be something deep in our memory, something planted in us in childhood, something from Sunday School, something from Reform School, something from grandma, or Sister Fuller…it is something we know is true, right and opposite of the way things are now. So, what to do?

For something to be different, it has to be new, even if it is a new start to something old and familiar. In this Luke 15 story, the young man reasons: “I am going to get up and go back home. I am going to return to my father” and tell him what a jerk I’ve been (15:18).

A return to the father is different, new, true, right and without shame. Once we have the courage to return… the father wants to throw a party to rejoice. Home is being with the Father.

“‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.
And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.” Jesus