Listen

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, but I’m starving to death! I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son. Take me on as one of your hired hands.”’ So he got up and went to his father.

“While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him.”

Luke 15:17-20

Think

“When he came to his senses…” Some translations read, “When he came to himself…” Have you ever had this experience first-hand? Where you have this moment of realization, “How has it come to this? How did I get here?”

Sometimes it’s only after trying all the so-called “fun” we thought we were missing out on, and running ourselves ragged, that we look in the mirror and see someone we barely recognize.

I’m reminded of something a pastor once said in a sermon: “We’re not punished so much for our sins, as we are by our sins.” In other words, sin can be its own lousy punishment, especially when the veneer of fun wears off.

Being selfish and wasteful and irresponsible can start to take a toll and leave us a shell of ourselves. That’s when we can pause amid the exhaustion and hear the voice of God whisper gently: “You don’t have to live like this.”

And we come back to ourselves.

Cari Pattison

Question to Ponder:

What amazes you most about the father in this story?

Pray

Most Loving God, I believe. Help my unbelief. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Go

May you go into this day knowing you are held up and carried forth.

May you feel the truest most beautiful things in you brought to life.

And may all the disconnects that really matter, be rejoined and made new.