“Son (daughter), you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” Luke 15:31
Heavenly Father, we can’t hear you say these life-transforming words too clearly, too often, and too loudly. First spoken to a pouty, self-righteous, ungrateful son (in Luke 15:11-32), you continue to beckon each of your children back onto the dancefloor of your mercy, grace, and love.
Not only do we also suffer from Gospel-amnesia, we too drift, fall, or jump into patterns of loving poorly. Irritation with others gains more heart space than fellowshipping with you. Rather than enjoying the grace-parties you throw for all your children, we throw a pity-party for one, only inviting ourselves.
Thus, in the Gospel, you are always wooing us saying, “My daughters and sons, you (all of you) are always with me because I’m always with you. Nothing will separate you from my love, exhaust my grace, or deplete my mercies. All that is mine is yours.
Your sins are forgiven, your life is hidden in Jesus, and his righteousness yours. It’s official—you are citizens of heaven and co-heirs of the new heaven and new earth. Your sorrows, wounds, and brokenness all have an expiration date. I have you in my heart and no one can take you from my hand. Come, my children, let us—all of us, rejoice and be glad.”
Father, we are secure, enriched, and beloved beyond all measure and imagining. Make this unavoidably, palpably to us again. We are ready to dance, and to love others as you love us in Jesus. So Very Amen we pray.