Monday, August 6, 2012

The Power of Presence

But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found. (Luke 15:32)

God rejoices and heaven rejoices when lost things are found and sinners repent. In the preceding stories in Luke's narrative…the lost sheep is found by the shepherd…the lost coin is found by the woman. But what about the son…who, or what, found him? Did he come to realize his desperate condition on his own? Do we really find ourself when we are lost? Perhaps it is more proper to say that we realize and wake up to the fact that we are lost and out of place and determine to return. This is the essence of repentance. This wayward, or prodigal, son came to the end of himself and found himself in a desperate condition. The influence of living with his father, and the memory of being in his presence, made a radical, life-changing impression upon the young son. And he acted upon this desire to return home…to return to his father’s dominion. So what was it that found him? The love of the father…never forgotten…often squandered and rejected… the absence of his nearness. There is power in a father's influential presence. The elder son never learned how lost he was. He ignored the powerful influence of his father. He took his presence for granted and lost the greatest part of being close to home…the love of the father and the culture of joy…inexpressible and unforgettable joy. Come close to God the Father if you truly know Him...you will never regret it. Come home to God the Father if you have been far, far away...you'll find Him waiting and watching for your return...a reason for all to celebrate and rejoice.

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