967 The Father Ran - Luke 15:20

What do you do when you're joyfully surprised?   And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15:20 ESV   Elder heads of families didn't run in Jesus time. Running is what the immature and the afraid would do. In this parable, the father saw his lost son coming back home. He was looking. He saw him while he was still very far away, and he ran to see him.   The father in this story represents God. The sun represents us, every one of us. We're all some distance from God. When we turn to him, he sees it and he runs to close the gap.   Whatever distance that might exist between You and God, you can change it. He's watching and even though you're a long way off, the minute you turn to him, you're on the way to restoration. Jesus told this story. The Jewish leaders of the time would have thought the father silly, even childish. They would have looked down their noses at him.   But Jesus says our Heavenly Father longs for us to turn back. Once we do, he runs to meet us. He schedules a celebration. He's not worried about appearances. He is looking for us.   Today, let's remember the kind of love that is available to us. I hope it changes the way we love others. We are free to impersonate the Father in this story because we experienced this behavior. If you haven't then I want to challenge you to turn to God the Father even more than you already have. Resist the temptation to make demands. You know you don't like what you're doing. So, any thing God does is an improvement. Turn to him, head back toward him and then watch for him as you walk.   Around you today are others who don't want to be separated from God. Maybe you can help them imagine the joy of seeing the Father run in their direction. Anything you can do to help them move one notch closer to Jesus maters. It could be the move the Father sees. Pay attention to the people around you. Pray for them, appreciate them and serve them. And remember to have an answer ready for them when they ask.   Join us on the next Marketplace Mission Trip, too. One begins in just a few days. Why not join our online community at https://community.followerofone.org and then ask to join the next Marketplace Mission Trip using the main menu. God will use you in the lives of others. And he will give you a new joy and purpose in your everyday work. Check it out!   I also want to encourage you to check out The Morning Mindset with Carey Green. He's a friend of our ministry and he's been. inviting his listeners to join our Marketplace Mission Trip, too. Listen to today's episode at www.CareyGreen.com.