MY FRIENDS, CAN WE FIND OUR WAY BACK HOME OR HAVE WE STRAYED TO FAR?

April 8, 2015

MY FRIENDS, CAN WE FIND OUR WAY BACK HOME OR HAVE WE STRAYED TO FAR?

The common element we have with sheep is the propensity to get lost and stray away from the path by not following the direction of the Good shepherd. And the farther it strays, the harder it becomes to hear the Good Shepherds voice calling for it to return home. We must wonder what could be going through the mind of sheep that would cause them to leave the safe comfort of the shepherd and his leadership and go out on it’s own, into the unknown.

In addition, the probability of predators who’s only objective is to find its prey and destroy is unavoidable. And it is also with a child of God who has decided to stray from the safe comfort and protection of Jesus Christ,  Satan observes and knows at what point we weaken and decide to stray on our own. Webster defines Prodigal; as wasteful, reckless and extravagant.

When Christ gave the example of the Prodigal Son it’s obvious He didn’t associate a name with Him, like Bob, John, Mary or Kathy he is simply the son, which tells us the son refers to all of God’s Children who decides Christ is not the answer, I will stray, and find my own way back home when the time comes.

And it is at that moment our name becomes Prodigal because our  life takes on the attributes of someone who is reckless and wasteful and my friends, it is usually all about the reckless and wasteful use of our time in this very small window of probationary period we have been given between birth and death. We must never forget that Satan’s only goal is to destroy God’s Children as he uses ever circumstances and situation that takes our focus off of Christ and onto the things of this world that traps God’s chosen.

And then because we have strayed so far we begin to loose our hope and joy, thus causing us to lose focus on how to get back to the Good Shepherd, which then causes us to wonder aimlessly into self destruction until Satan has us believing we can’t go back. He tells us, Christ will not accept you, you have gone to far to go back home.

Consistent with this, our hope fades with each day we stay away. But my friends the Good Shepherd is also watching and waiting with open arms. So what does returning to Christ involve. Remember  Home is a place where we felt accepted and loved. But now, only a distance memory when life was simple and good.

But the good news is that when we cannot find our way back home, God will find a way to lead us back home to him. That’s the image of God that Jesus Christ gave us. As our lives resume being transformed by the power of God’d Spirit, as God calls us back home to His protection and love. To most of us home is a wonderful place. Authors Dallas Willard says going back home gives us “a means to reconsider and reconfigure our strategy for living.” It is the element that calls for each of us to change directions.”

like the Prodigal Son who “When he came to his senses, said, I will go back to my father and say to him: 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. So he got up and went back home to his father. Luke 15:17-20 (KJV) It will be a difficult journey going back home.

But set your mark on the prize which is eternal life in God’s pure and holy kingdom. And then on that day we make it back home, He will repeat His words of love to us “He who was lost is now found and there is celebration in my household!”

So friends stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY