“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. ”
This quote from the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) reminds us of just how deep and wide and vast and forgiving the love of God our Parent is. When God sees us turning toward him, no matter what our condition, he has compassion on us and welcomes us home.
How and when do you feel God’s compassion and embrace? Have you ever felt you were undeserving or unworthy of God’s love? Have you ever had an experience of assurance that you were deeply loved by God?
These are some of the questions that shape our spiritual journey and affect the way we interact with God and with others. We just finished a seven week series on “The Heart of the Bible,” the conclusion of which was that the measure of all things is love.
For the next few weeks, we will be focusing on how very much God treasures us and how very wide God’s arms are open through the story of the Prodigal Son. I encourage you to pick up a copy of Henri Nouwen’s book ‘The Return of the Prodigal Son’ and read it with us, to pray with this scripture, and to keep a daily journal of when you felt close to God each day and when you felt far away.
My prayer is that this will help all of us be held in God’s loving embrace and also to reach out with the open arms of God for others in need of that compassion.
Peace,
Pastor Christi
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