COME BACK HOME
COME BACK HOME
There was this man who was very wealthy and had a lot of possessions. He also had a lot of cash at his disposal. His business was thriving. Everyone called him Papa. Papa was very loving and extremely generous. Plus he hardly ever got angry or upset. Papa was also blessed with children who were doing well and working with him at the family business. What else could a man ask for? His children would one day succeed him and hopefully their own children after them.
Very sadly however, one of Papa’s sons had a very serious personal agenda that had absolutely nothing to do with the family business. As a matter of fact he wanted no part of the hard work required to keep the family business running and profitable but he wanted his share of the profit that was coming in and he did not hesitate to tell his father this.
Though this really saddened Papa, he did not refuse his son the absurd request. Or how else would you describe asking for an inheritance from a living person! One might as well be wishing them dead. Anyway, Papa in his usual generosity granted this bizarre request and his son went off on a frolic.
This is the first part of the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15: 11 – 32) We later find out that Papa would go out every day hoping to catch a glimpse of his son coming back home to him. That young son had really hurt Papa. Yet, Papa waited hopefully for his return. One day this is what happened “And he(the young son) arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” Luke 15: 20 KJV
Papa had kept hoping (and probably praying as well) that one day his son would be reconciled to him. Papa never threatened to cut the boy off, he never said “Good riddance; I have another son”; He never cursed him or sat waiting to “get even” or “pay back”. All Papa did was wait, watch and pray.
So is there a loved one that walked out on you without once looking back, is there a dear friend who betrayed you, or did your partner offend you and you have vowed to never forgive them, or is it actually your child that has decided to leave home and carry on a most embarrassingly wayward and irresponsible lifestyle? There could be worse things than all these going on with you right now. I come to tell you that there is hope for a reconciliation. Papa took the first step when everyday he went out to survey the horizon. You can take that same step now by waiting, watching and praying. Let your dear loved one meet you halfway. If you leave them to walk alone all the way back, what if they change their mind out of fear, anxiety or uncertainty? God forbid!
God did not leave us in our filthy state of sin to go and rot in hell. In love and compassion, He reached out to us, He went all the way and gave up His only Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice to reconcile us to him. He is not waiting to “deal” with us as our sins deserve. Certainly not. “As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?” Ezekiel 33: 11 NLT
Now is the time to reach out in forgiveness to those who have caused us pain. Please, just let it go. No wrong done to us is worth our harbouring unforgiveness and risking an eternity separated from God. Now is also the time to reach out and grasp the Father’s outstretched hand and turn away from sin. Come back home to Him.
This is the time for reconciliation. Bury the hatchet. Let them “COME BACK HOME.”
OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©