My children, “you are always with me and everything 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.
By nature, we’re allergic to your grace. By weakness, we have early onset Gospel-amnesia. By choice—we drift, fall, or jump into patterns of loving poorly; and like the elder brother, we blame you for our misery.
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.
Yet you constantly woo us saying, “My daughters and sons, 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. Everything I have is yours. In fact, I’ve made you co-heirs with Christ Jesus of the entire new heaven and new earth and the fullness of my Kingdom.
Your sins are forgiven, your life is hidden in Christ, and Jesus’ righteousness is yours. 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.”
Thank you and Hallelujah, Father! We are secure, enriched, and beloved beyond all measure and imagining. Make this unavoidably, palpably to us again—and more so than ever. We are ready to dance and delight in you, and love others as you love us. So Very Amen.