THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Lord, how sad that many Christ followers will, at some point, wander from your path and isolate themselves from other believers. Most will stray only for a short time and then realize their foolish actions and come to their senses. Regrettably, some will abandon the faith altogether.

What causes someone to walk away from you? You are our fountain of life. You are our shelter when the storms of life assail. You are our purpose for living. Even so, our humanity must have a little wandering prodigal son or daughter programmed into us (Luke 15).

Lord God, you are a good Father. You understand we are human, frail and subjected to temptations, which we sometimes yield to. But when we stray, you seek us out. With open arms, you’re ready to welcome us back home. You freely forgive our contrite hearts and restore our relationship.

When people depend on their performance doing certain religious tasks demanded by their religious leaders to find favor with you, they are missing the point you made in John 3:16. “God so loved the world [that’s you and me] that he gave his only Son [Jesus, to be the sacrifice for sins] that whosoever [again, you and me] believes in him should not perish [miss out on Heaven] but have eternal life.”  

Like bread and butter, good works and virtuous deeds go hand-in-hand with a person who turns their heart toward you. As our loving heavenly Father, you wrap your arms around your prodigal children. No scolding. No shaming. You simply meet us where we are and welcome us home.

So thankful to be home, Jesus. Amen.