A long way off

A long way off

Luke 15:20 NKJV

"And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

There are so many people a long way off from returning to God in our land (indeed, in the globe). They know in their hearts that something is terribly wrong with life and the direction of travel, socially and individually.

Many are trying to fill their spiritual hunger with the "pigswill" of materialism, political activism, entertainment and intellectual advancement - or, worse still: foreign gods.

The Holy Spirit is tenderly at work assisting individuals to "come to their senses" and return, empty handed to The Cross of Jesus for forgiveness and true meaning.

God the Father is running to meet each one, ready to open heartedly welcome them into the Family and celebrate their return.

How are we, "elder brothers and sisters" reacting when we find the Lord joyously wrapping His Arms around ones we "wouldn't touch with a barge pole" and blessing them?

The elder brother in the story became bitter and offended - refusing to join the party.

Are we so "holier than thou" we can't see our own lostness and inate dependence on Jesus' Cross to cleanse us?

Let's get with the beat of the Divine Heart and run along while folk are still a long way off, to greet and meet them, ushering each one in to the celebrations.

Luke 15:11-32 NKJV

Then He said: "A certain man had two sons. [12] And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. [13] And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. [14] But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. [15] Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. [16] And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. [17] "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! [18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, [19] and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."' [20] "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. [21] 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.' [22] "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. [23] And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; [24] for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. [25] "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. [26] So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. [27] And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.' [28] "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. [29] So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. [30] But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.' [31] "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. [32] It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'"