Lost & Found
No matter how far you go, no matter how ashamed you may feel, and no matter how long it's been, God is always there to welcome you home. Can I tell you something? You don't have to be a slave to sin forever. (John 8:34) You don't have to live your life lost in the wilderness. You don't have to live a life of confusion and scattered thoughts. Just like the farmer who left his 99 sheep to find the one who lost its way, God will stop the world to go and seek you. (Luke 15:4) That's just how much he loves you. Just like the women who rejoiced when she found her one coin even though she had 10 more, the angels in Heaven will rejoice when you return. (Luke 15:9-10) Just like the father who ran to his son when he returned, our father is willing to meet us right where we are. (Luke 15:20)
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The son left his father's covering because he wanted to live a life of his own. (Luke 15:13) He ended up losing everything, and having to eat with the pigs. (Luke 15:16) It wasn't until that very moment he realized where he belonged. What's interesting is, his father allowed him to endure this suffering. He waited patiently for his son to realize he made the wrong decision. I believe that God will allow us to go off and do our own thing, suffer a little, just to show us the grass is not greener on the other side. He allows us to experience tragedy and turmoil to produce the highest version of ourselves. The storms that you experience are not by accident, but by purpose. You have to stop trying to make sense of what God is doing and just trust the process.
When the son came to his senses he returned home, where he belonged. (Luke 15:18) The father ran to him as he was walking up, hugging and kissing him, and they celebrated his return. My thought process is, what in the world convinced him that it was better out there? I pray that the enemy never convinces you the world has more to offer, the devil is a lie. There is no other way to do life. I've tried it, and everytime I found myself running back to God. God never closed the door on me, He opened His arms, His love, and His mercy. (Romans 6:18) I thank God for His grace and mercy, because without it I don't know where I would be. Take a moment to think about where you would be if it wasn't for the mercy of God...