Think before you run
First Love – Inspiring others to fall in love with Jesus
“This son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’
So the party began. Luke 15:24
Have you ever felt like running away? Perhaps you have had enough, things are not working out for you where you are? You have gazed across the field and you have considered the thought that the grass may be greener on the other side. It could be that your situation isn’t meeting your expectations anymore or your relationship has hit a rough patch. It’s at times like these that we start to doubt and explore other possibilities. You don’t need to wander far before your adversary the devil tempts you as he is prowling around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8).
I once heard Cannon J John, evangelist and international speaker, say that the grass is not green on either side, that the grass becomes green when you water it, and it’s what you water it with that will make it grow. So what are you watering your grass with? Have you abandoned it and stopped tending to it? Your marriage, your job or maybe it’s your walk with God. We all have a choice, to fertilise what God has blessed us with, or walk away.
Jesus told a story of a young man who thought that the grass was greener on the other side. He didn’t want to live with his family anymore, working for his father. Instead he wanted to follow the bright lights. So he asked for his inheritance and off he ran without a second thought for his family. This is the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Outwith his Fathers protection and support he went down the road of self-destruction. He squandered his money and was left destitute and starving. He had hit rock bottom. Have you ever been there? Perhaps you have taken a wrong turn, made a bad choice, followed the wrong signs and ended up in a place of disaster. I know I have. It was during this young man’s lowest point that he “came to his senses (v17). He remembered his Father and the loving home he had come from. He thought maybe if he returned home they might give him a job, he didn’t expect anything else after all he had done.
It takes courage to admit when you have messed up, especially to the people you may have hurt in the process. So the prodigal son made his way back home. We read in this passage that “When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son ever again.’ (v20-21). What a scene, while he was away spending his Father’s money with not a care for anyone, his Father never stopped waiting for him to return. The Father had already forgiven him. He threw a lavish party to celebrate his return and gave him fresh clothes and the family ring to wear.
This story reminds us that no matter how far we may run away from God the Father, he is still waiting for us to return. That he is slow to anger and abounding in love (Psalm 103:8). Today, no matter how bad you have messed up, regardless of how far you have travelled to find that green grass, God is waiting for you to come to your senses. For you see, you will be searching for that green grass fulfilment forever and all the while it’s closer than you think. For God is your shepherd and with him you don’t need anything. He will rest you down in a green meadow and he will lead you in the right direction (Psalm 23:1-3).
So before you pack your bags and run for the hills, have a thought that perhaps everything you need is right beside you. So open your heart and share it with your Father.
Until next time
