God is a Holy, Party throwing God!
Yes! God throws party to anyone who has been lost but is now found. Isn't that amazing to hear? God never looks at our past. He loves us beyond our sins, our shortcomings, our failures, and our fears.
The Parable of the Prodigal God shows that God is the one who goes after us. Even though we have left Him for our pursuit of our own happiness and world desires, He still welcomes us with an open arms and heart. I am beyond words on the love God has for us.
“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.
Luke 15:20 tells us that God ran for us! YES FOR YOU AND ME! He longed for our return. We may be rugged looking, stinky and maybe unrecognizable because of our past, but He still knows us by heart! Also take note that HIS FATHER SAW HIM WHILE HE WAS STILL A LONG WAY OFF? How was that even possible? Probably because the Father was waiting for his son to come back. He had his doors, windows open, looking for any possible sign of his sign. The father never lose his hope on the son's return. Amazing. When everyone (including ourselves) lose hope, God has not.
The verse also said that God hugged us and kissed us!! Yes!! THAT IS HOW PASSIONATE GOD IS FOR US! It may be comparable to seeing a best friend after long years of being part. You ran for him/her and just enjoy the moment. But that is the case if everything went well before the separation. In the Prodigal Son, the younger God went away and ended up working in the fields with the pigs. So let us imagine the son, being all dirty, muddy, smells like a pig, anything we don't want to be! BUT GOD STILL RAN, HUGGED AND KISSED HIM!
Every time I picture this in my mind, I am amazed by the power of God's love. He did not scold the son when He met him. He loved him and showed compassion. He longed for the relationship. He even threw a party for the 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.
Who in the earth would even celebrate the return of a son who brought disgrace to the family? I could not think of any. But God, is a God who celebrates and rejoices for the lost who has been found! He is a God who makes an effort to make us feel loved and valued. He gives only the best for us!
It is actually very hard for me to accept this kind of love because God's love is beyond our understanding, but through faith, we believe. That's God's love, you see, because we are not able to comprehend it, it transcends in our lives. We don't need to know all the details, but as long as we have faith in His love, the peace, love and grace reflects in our lives and takes an effect on other people as well.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXTRAVAGANT LOVE FOR US! Thank you for the love and the grace which we don't deserve. It is only through You that we are here on earth. We are alive because You brought us alive. Remind us everyday of Your love that You are willing to go after us and give the best for us. You would hug and kiss us after all the pain we have caused You. Truly, no one is like You. You are the only GOD! Your Name is above all Names and deserves all Praise and worthy :-) May Your love be reflected in our lives and May others see more of Your love through us. In Jesus Name,
