CAN I GO HOME…(after going astray?)
Just being honest, we often find ourselves straying from the path we once knew to be right. We may wander off in search of something more, only to find ourselves lost and disconnected from our true purpose. Reminds me of the U.S. Army Sergeant who told military investigators that he left his post June 2009 because he didn’t like the sour attitudes in his unit and always intended to come right back.The sergeant had problems with how his unit was being run, and he claimed no one would listen. He says that he didn't like that he couldn’t raise his concerns about his unit, but… someday he would return. Just as that Army Sergeant sought to find justice and understanding, sometimes we too may become disillusioned with our current circumstances, and like a quarter inch nut trying to match threads with a half inch bolt we just don’t fit. Our resulting suspicion whether true or not, is likely… “I’ve been overlooked and under-valued”!
When we wander away from the path, we may find a temporary release in the charm of disconnection. We may believe that freedom lies in our ability to make our own choices and live life on our terms. Deep within our souls, there is a longing for something more, something that feels better, perhaps even something sacred. We yearn for a simple connection that goes beyond the superficial and the temporary.
Like the prodigal in the famous parable, we may find ourselves squandering our spiritual inheritance in a far country. We chase after sophisticated pleasures, naïvely seeking fulfillment in temporary satisfactions that ultimately leave us empty and broken. So broken that we may well believe that we have strayed too far to be welcomed back. But the truth is, our Father's love knows no bounds and His forgiveness has no limits.
In the midst of waywardness, there comes a moment of awakening – a realization that the safety and love of our Father has been traded for the emptiness of the pigsty. It is in this moment of clarity that we have a choice to make. We can choose to stay, groping in the darkness, or pivot our steps and head toward the lights of home. All that is needed is a first step.
Embarking on the journey back home, we all will carry feelings of shame, guilt, and unworthiness. But remember, the Father does not judge us for past mistakes; rather, He rejoices in our return. So…look way down the road…see! As you approach Him He is running toward you, to embrace you with open arms. In His love, you find healing, restoration, and a renewed sense of purpose.
The return is a transformative experience. It is in His presence that you rediscover your true identity as a beloved son/daughter. The world may try to define you by your past, but the Father sees you through the lenses of His creation and forgiveness. In His presence, you will automatically be reminded of your inherent worth and the unique purpose for which you were created.
Once you have again tasted the Father's love, you are called to walk in the light of His truth. It is not enough to simply return home; you must also embrace the lessons learned from your journey. You must strive to live a life that reflects the love and grace you have received. A surrender to the Father's guidance will find an alignment with His purpose.
Have you found yourself wandering away from your spiritual roots?
Regardless of the choices you’ve made or the distance you’ve traveled, are you aware that His love remains constant?
Come to your senses!
Pivot! The door swings both ways.
Turn your steps toward home!
In the depths of your wanderings, you may have forgotten that your Father is eagerly anticipating your return. His home has a parlor of relief and renewal. He invites you to sit in the recliner of restoration and eat the nutrition of the mouthwatering bread of life and take a swig of the water that will assure you will never thirst again. His invitation beckons… come home… find healing… begin the rebuilding… you are still a son, a daughter, and you are deeply cherished.