There are people in my life who have worked away from the Lord and want nothing to do with Him. When I talked with them they even to me "Christianity is dead, I'm never coming back so drop it." I have had others in my life who just got caught up in sin and lost their way. Who do I chase after? Who do I pursue with great diligence and pray for without ceasing?
The Word talks about the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. The son demanded his father give him the inheritance that is his and left. The father did not chase after his son, the parable gives no mention that he spent countless nights looking for him. His father knew where his son was and what his intentions are. His son wanted to go far away from his father for whatever reason. The father must have known his son would "come to himself (Luke 15:17)" His father knew his son would return and he waited patiently for him. Looking forward to the day when his son would come back and his father would run to him, embracing him. Those who choose to walk away from Lord and show no care to come back, break off all contact, and say "Just leave me alone", we have to let them go. There are no words we can see and things we can offer that will bring them back. The must "come to themselves" and discover they are strangers in a strange land in need of Jesus. In other words we need to step back and allow God to bring them home. But our hope for their return never dies, our love from them will remain unwavering, and we stand ready to embrace.
The Word also talks of those who wander away in Luke 15:1-7. The lost sheep talks of those who are lost or aimlessly wandering. They really cannot tell how they have sunk so deep in their sin or even where it all began all they know is they are lost. They are looking for a way back, trying to find the road that leads to Christ, or just looking for a way out of their mess. The Good Shepard searches for them, pursue them, won't relent until He has them in His care, and rejoices with all when they are found. These are the people we pursue with all diligence. These are the people that we will not give up and will not surrender to the enemy. Because these people want to come to know Christ and crave direction. These are the people we spend endless nights and countless days showing and teaching Christ too.
What I enJOY! about both parables is how they have one theme in common. In each one someone heads in the wrong direction, they both return home, and all rejoice. I promise you this friend, whomever is the prodigal in your life trust that God will allow them to "come to themselves" and that they will return. Whomever is the lost sheep in your life trust that your effort to bring them to Jesus will meet a glorious end. And trust that whether you live to see them return or not, one day you will REJOICE!
Stay encouraged.
Luke 15:1-7, 11-32
Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
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