An Eruption of Love

I was sitting here thinking about the day and was wondering what we should do today, and I was focused on myself, and my honey.  I realized that I didn't even think once about asking the Lord what we should be doing.  Part of making Him my Lord, is actually making Him my Lord, and sometimes I am just totally self-focused.  

The good news is that the Lord isn't worried, nor angry.  Just like when I don't hear from my kids for days on end, I am not angry, nor concerned that,  they have found some other person to be their Dad, He is waiting, but still loves me and treasures me.

I am reminded of the story of the Prodigal or wayward son, told by Jesus in Luke 15:11-32 NIV:

[11] "Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. [12] The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. 

[13] “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. [14] After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. [15] So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. [16] He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 

[17] “When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! [18] I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. [19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' [20] 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. 

[21] “The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 

[22] “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. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. [24] For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. 

[25] “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. [26] So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. [27] 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' 

[28] “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. [29] But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. [30] But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 

[31] “ 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. [32] But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' ”

My favorite line is the second half of verse 20, “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 fact that the Father saw him while he was still a long way off, means that the Father had been waiting and looking.  Most likely not just this particular morning, but every day since the younger son had left.  The Father's heart never turned from His son, nor did His attention waver.  He was constantly waiting and watching.

The second bit about that line is just as important as the first, the Father was filled with compassion for the younger son! This isn't the same as feeling sorry, this is much deeper.  The Greek word used here is splagchnizomai, which means to be moved in the inward parts (bowels), i.e. to feel compassion.  In other words, deep in the heart, in His inner most being, the Father was moved at the mere sight of His son!  

I think of it as an eruption of love, that poured forth from the Father.  We see this evident in the Father's next actions for, old as he was, he took off running, all the way to where His son was and threw his arms around him and kissed and embraced him!  In fact the Greek word for embraced, is the same word that was used to describe the outpouring of the Holy Spirit when Peter was speaking to the Gentiles in Acts 10, the timing, passion and depth of which surprised everyone in the room!!  In the same way, surprising the son, the father fell upon Him, and covered him with His embrace!

I am sure, not even in his wildest dreams, did the younger son expect that type of welcome. We know he planned to simply beg for a position as a servant, so we know he wasn't expecting the wild embrace and welcome back he experienced.  

So, this morning I am encouraged that every time I turn my heart to the Lord, I am greeted in this same way!  He is longing for me to turn towards Him, and when I do He races towards me to embrace me, as love for me erupts in His heart!  

Thank You Lord for loving me, waiting for me, and having compassion for me!

Amen and Amen!