I am Thankful for…..
So my First thanksgiving post is dedicated to the one who loves me the most.And whom I love lesser than he loves me(I’m imperfect!).
This week wasn’t one of my finest weeks,You know that explosive woman who has gone off on her family most times, for those things that aren’t even their fault.The Last place I want to be, is at the holy presence of God, in his Church.And our Pastor preaches the Sermon on Homecoming on Luke 15.Trust God to be perfect father,who knows what we need to hear!
I first fell in love with Luke 15,when I read it to my little boy from his toddler bible.
Sometimes I wonder if we lose the wonder of the love of God.For a longtime while growing up,for me,like most born Christians,Jesus had been another word.The Crucifixion of Christ an event of the past.Christmas meaning Presents and good food.
Have we taken for granted the love of God,the pain and sufferings he endured to redeem us.
Luke 15 to me is the most beautiful of all passages. – Every time I read this passage I am overwhelmed.
The Prodigal son is the ultimate parable and the analogy of a loving god towards imperfect people makes it my favorite.
The prodigal son who fought his father and got his inheritance.Used all of it for bad means,having fun and squandering away all the hard earned money.And was left with Nothing.NOTHING!!
But he swallowed his pride,and was willing to be humbled among his father’s servants. He chose to do the right thing,to have the right attitude and returned back home.
Luke 15:20,21
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.’
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.’
The Father went running to meet him,kissed him,put got clothes on him,and gave him a ring.And made a feast.No reproaches .What a powerful picture.A loving father.Being a parent,I wonder if I would have had the same reaction.I m amazed as the analogy draws a parallel with our heavenly father.It doesn’t matter who I am and what I’ve done,I can always boldly comeback to god.He loves me,his love is unconditional.Just as I am, I will always be welcomed.
What hope! What blessed hope!
Okay so we shift our focus a little further to The Indignant Older Brother.Although many Christians love to criticise the older brother for his uncharitable Christian reaction.Lets talk about raw feelings.We’ve all felt this feeling,to say no, would be a huge lie.
Imagine working so hard and being the perfect child ,with not much reward,and then here comes the prodigal son who seemed to have got everything he was entitled to.Shocker!!!!
The father goes out to get the older brother,understanding his hurt,comforts this son too.Reassures him about his inheritance.Doesn’t reproach him for his jealousy.
Although the younger brother is received into the family but will he receive an inheritance is left to question.However for the older brother,his father promises everything as his.
Luke 15:31,32
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.’”
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.’”
For me this is shows the Just and fair side of God,every deed will be judged.We who stand firmly with him will receive our reward.It may look for the time being people are moving ahead of us.On those days,I want to remember who god is ,not circumstances.I want to trust and hold on to the characteristics of god.He is Just.
This parable is truly a win win,for having such a loving god as a father,on the days I m the prodigal son,I can come home to god anytime.On the days I m the Older son,and I feel left out/cast away,I remember my good works are before god and he is just.
Thank you Lord for you,our Father,for the love you shower on us.
For your guiding hand.
For every material and spiritual blessing you bestow upon us.
Eternally Thankful for you.
In Jesus Name.Amen.
