Coming Home

I think at times we have all played the part of the prodigal--I know I have. Sometimes the wandering lasts a few moths, sometimes years, sometimes it's not prodigality at all. They went out from us because they were not of us. Woe to the arrogant who thinks he can tell the difference. Only God searches the heart and knows all things. And is it not His boundless mercy, infinite grace, and deathless love that brought us back "home"? Some of us He has sought on the hillsides and carried us back home. Some of us He has just waited at the "door" for us to come to our senses, escape the insanity of a life lived without a sense of His presence. He is the all-wise Father knowing what each child needs to abandon the weariness and return.
Prodigality begins, of course, with the smallest of steps--a closed Bible, a desertion of church and the loving encouragement found there, prayerless nights wondering why we cannot hear His voice. We forget that the one who leads us astray is a liar whose goal is to destroy us--foe, not friend.
And the enemy's lies are subtle. He deceives us into believing that we are "living high off the hog" when we are instead wallowing in the mud of the pig pen, the "delicacies" that we think are our joy are merely the corn husks of the world that makes us hungrier not satisfied. All the meaning that can be found in this world is temporary and fleeting.
And another lie he tells us--especially when he sees that we are coming to our senses--is that we are not worthy to go home--we will not be welcomed there but judged. And yet, the Father is waiting for our return, running shoes on, eager to embrace us, smoother us with tokens of His love. And the first thing He reminds us of is that we have always been a son.
Yes, when the weary come home, the Father rejoices, the angels fill Heaven with rejoicing (wouldn't you love to hear that?--come home and their song will fill your heart,) And the church that has a heart like God's heart will kill "the fatted calf" and join the celebration!
Those of us who have wandered should pray with supplication and humility having experienced His joy at our return. We know His timing is perfect. We know the Father is waiting eagerly at the door, ready to sprint to the weary and lift him--His son or daughter--with His love. We know the angels have the party in Heaven ready at an eternal moment's notice. We know that those who love us have been keeping the calf well-fed.
And those us who are now playing the prodigal should plead with Him to open our eyes to the lies of the destroyer of souls who has his sights set on our souls. We must rest in our inescapable sonship as we race for home. It may have taken months or years to finally "see." but joy comes in the morning. You who are weary come home.