I was lost. My gas light flickered. It was dark and trees draped over the road creating a spooky corridor.
It was supposed to be a short cut, but it turned into a nightmare. The more I drove the windy and twisting back roads, the more it seemed that there was no way out.
I was stuck somewhere in the middle of nowhere and about to run out of gas. I stopped the car, my heart hammering in my chest.
God, help me.
A distant light flickered. Just pinpoints of light.
But it was enough.
I started the car and began to move in that direction. Several minutes later I was on the highway, cruising with joy toward a gas station.
When sin detours you, it can feel like you are lost. A million miles from God. Like there’s no way to return home.
But that’s not true.
Jesus told a story of a son who walked away from his father. When he left home, it was to carve out his own path. To do his own thing.
It seemed good at first, until he found himself in the mud eating what the pigs left behind. He missed home. Prepared to be a slave in his father’s household, if need be, he made his way home.
This was his father’s response:
When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son ever again.’
But the father wasn’t listening. He was calling to the servants, ‘Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We’re going to feast! We’re going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!’ And they began to have a wonderful time.
I want to pause in the middle of this Mended Heart study to talk to you.
The one who feels that she’s gone too far.
Who wonders if God even knows how lost she is.
Who feels like her sin is so big that she can never go home again.
The cross is a flickering light drawing you to the path that will lead you home.
Maybe it’s just a pinpoint somewhere in the distance.
It’s enough.
Don’t wait until you’ve cleaned up your act.
Don’t go deeper into sin out of shame, or because someone said you’ve gone too far.
Today is your day to walk into your Heavenly Father’s arms.
He’s been waiting.
Week #5 – Chapter Five
If today’s post spoke to you and you want me to pray with you, I’d be honored.
For those following along in the study, if you haven’t completed Chapter Five, continue to read.
If you want to begin, it’s all here on the blog. You can find the book here.
Answer the questions in the back of the book in Chapter Five. Share one of your answers (along with the question) here.
These are additional questions. I’d love to see your answers here so we can talk about them together.
Q: What is one fear you (or someone) might have about going back “home” to a Father’s love?
Q: How might that fear keep you trapped in sin?
Q: Hebrews 7:25 (NIV) reads: “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”
a. Read this out loud. Put your name in it.
b. What promise do you find in this verse?
From Suzie: If you know of someone who is struggling with this, would you share this with them? I’d be honored to pray with your loved one or friend. I’d be honored to tell them how much they are loved, right where they are.
Suzie
Dear Suzie,
I was directed to your blog vía another Devotional site. Your Story is beautiful and inspirational. It resonated inside me. Thank you.
Blessings,
Isabel
So many times I have wanted to be like you, Suzanne, listening and be ready with an answer. I belong to a Book Club who review christian based books and I feel this is a book that would speak to the group through reading it and discussing it.
May God bless you,
Ruth