10/06/2026
In the parable of the lost son in Luke 15, a young man made a mess out of his life after his portion of the estate he asked his father for was shamefully squander in wild, lascivious living. With nothing left, he managed to land a glamorous job of feeding pigs, but he quickly realized the pigs were eating better than he was. The bottom of the barrel was now a reality. So he decided to do the one thing he had been putting off...he decided to go home and face dad. He had to do one the hardest things we all have to do on occasion in this lifetime—he humbled himself. Making the long trek home, the wayward son even rehearsed what he would say upon his return: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants."
I'm sure the son was expecting a tough, longwinded, 'I told you so,' speech from his old dad. Instead, the parable says that when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. I bet dad squeezed the stink out of him. There was no 'chewing out' session or anything of the sort, instead, there was a celebration of his return!
Many can relate to the parable of the lost son. Perhaps that's why the verse, "Lord, forgive me the sins of my youth," is also in the bible (Psalm 25). Going astray happens. We sin, we fall. However, our God is a loving and merciful God who anticipates our return, and He rejoices when we make our way back. He wants to squeeze the stink out of you, too. There is always a great celebration when one who was lost is found once more. And here's a bonus: You ask for forgiveness, and your sins are forgotten, as far as the east is from the west the bible says. They are remembered no more.
If that is you today, it's time to let reality sink in and make your way back to Him. He's been looking across the horizon for that first, far-off glimpse of you trekking home once more. Maybe your fall from grace wasn't as severe as the wayward son, but you've left the fold for some reason, maybe you've stopped going to church entirely, and you've found out just how merciless the world can really be. Well friend, it's time to go back. And don't worry, nothing can separate you from the love of God. His mercies are new every morning. His love endures forever. Grace and peace. — Nelson 'Church Elder'
