Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
January 26, 2024
Luke 15:11-32
11 Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons. 12 The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the inheritance.’ Then the father divided his estate between them. 13 Soon afterward, the younger son gathered everything together and took a trip to a land far away. There, he wasted his wealth through extravagant living. 14 “When he had used up his resources, a severe food shortage arose in that country and he began to be in need. 15 He hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to eat his fill from what the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything. 17 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! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I no longer deserve to be called your son. Take me on as one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 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. 21 Then his son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! 23 Fetch the fattened calf and slaughter it. We must celebrate with feasting 24 because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his older son was in the field. Coming in from the field, he approached the house and heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. 27 The servant replied, ‘Your brother has arrived, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he received his son back safe and sound.’ 28 Then the older son was furious and didn’t want to enter in, but his father came out and begged him. 29 He answered his father, ‘Look, I’ve served you all these years, and I never disobeyed your instruction. Yet you’ve never given me as much as a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours returned, after gobbling up your estate on prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ 31 Then his father said, ‘Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found.’”
Good Morning! I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind, but now I see!
The parable of the prodigal son brings me so much comfort! The idea that God, our heavenly father, is waiting with open arms to welcome us home takes my breath away.
Home is a special place! Home is where we go when we’re scared or troubled. Home is our first stop when we have good news to share. Home is where we can lounge around in our favorite worn-out clothing and not worry about how we look. Home is home, no matter how long we’ve been gone.
As we become adults, we recognize that sometimes we do things that make us embarrassed to go home or do things that make us no longer welcome in our home. We make poor decisions like the younger son in the parable, and we squander all we have. Our first thought was that we could make it on our own. We can fix what we’ve broken.
Sometimes, we can apply a bandage (a quick fix), and things seem okay, but one day, we realize that we are truly lost and need guidance. In our weakest moment, God offers us the strength of the younger son, and we tuck our tails between our legs and go home to admit our failures. On the long trip home, we imagine how we will be chastised and scorned, but God is waiting to welcome us with open arms when we arrive.
By the grace of God, all who are lost have the opportunity to be found. I pray that all who are lost can accept God’s blessing and find their way home.
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. When we get lost, you offer to show us the way home. We thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: When we feel lost, we can turn to God, who will always welcome us home.
God’s love is as bright as the shining sun! Pastor Liz