Who's Waiting For You

Have you ever watched a scary movie?  Maybe it was a show with a scary scene?  I can always tell when the show writers want me to be frightened.  They music alone gives it away.  It always communicates tension and potential danger.  Maybe the pictures show darkness, shadows, or a short glimpse of a person or other danger lurking in those shadows.  The communication is always clear: you should be afraid.

Going home to the Father can give us the same picture.  Will Father be there?  How will He react?  What is He going to say?  Will he slam the door in my face?  Will He even listen to what I have rehearsed over and over again in my mind?  Will He believe me?  What if He does listen and believe me but still tells me to go away?  I really have no bargaining chips here.  I have no leg to stand on.  Is it really worth trying to go home?  These questions and many more all build up the tension, the fear, and the glimpses of danger lurking in the shadows.

"So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate." (Luke 15:20-24 NIV)

Jesus is the one telling this story.  It is a parable: a story with a spiritual meaning.  The father in the story is clearly meant to represent God.  The son represents any one of us who have left the Father and His Home through our rebellion (a.k.a. sin).  Don't lose the significance of this part of the story.  Jesus is telling us how the Father will react if we will simply come home.  Repentance simply means turning around.  We hear the alarm and wake up.  We are finally honest about our circumstances and how we got there.  We get up and go home.  When we get there, we can be sure who is waiting for us.  It's the Father, and He is not a frightening figure lurking in the shadows.  He is a loving Father running down the driveway to meet us, hug us, and celebrate with us.  God celebrates when we come home.

So how about you?  Do you see God as a frightening figure who lurks in the shadows?  Do you figure He will slam the door in your face?  Do you expect He will hear you out, but still send you away?  Or do you trust that He will welcome you home as a loving Father would?  Do you know who is waiting for you?