A Father’s love and why it is important

Have you ever thought about a Father’s love? This could be your earthly father, or the love you as a father have for your child. It could be God’s love for us. Regardless, it is important to recognize the love the Father has for us.

Last week, I wrote a blog on the importance of honoring your father. I referenced Luke 15:11-32 that talks about this Father’s love. Today, I would like to point out a couple of things from this well-known story.

This father’s son wanted to head out on his own way and wanted his portion of his inheritance to do it. His father honored his request. The text reads,

“he 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.“

• First, the son squandered everything and yet when he came back home to the Father, he was welcomed. He was celebrated. What have you squandered in your life? What opportunities have you wasted? Can you believe that God is more concerned about you coming back home than anything you have done?
• Next, the son felt unworthy to come home as the Father’s son. He was hoping the Father would accept him not as son but as servant. He was surprised that the Father not only welcomed him back home but celebrated his return. Never once did the Father deem him unworthy to return as the son that he was. What unworthiness have your been hanging on to that God does not even see? Can you release that and embrace the idea that God wants to celebrate you?

This morning as I prayed, I thanked God for the gift of this book, The Me Disease, and this story that God has given me and my family. God reminded me that the book and the story are not the gift. My life is the gift. I wonder how much of it I have squandered? Instantly, I thought of myself as the prodigal son returning home. I could see God rushing out, embracing me with all His love and compassion. I deem myself unworthy, but God never treats me as unworthy. God quickly puts a robe on me. And not just any robe, the best robe. He puts a ring on my finger, claiming me for His own. Because I am His. He prepares a feast for me. And we celebrate. Because I am home.

So when you think about your life, even if you have squandered some, part, or all of it, know this, the second you turn and head for home, God is running toward you with love and compassion. He deems you worthy to be called a Child of God and He celebrates because now you are home!

Let us pray;

Father God, thank you that your love for us never changes. Thank you that you love us as much today as you did yesterday and you will love us even more tomorrow. Thank you that your love is not dependent upon our actions. You love because You are love. Teach us to love like You love. In Jesus Name, Amen. -M