Staying in the Hug

Take a few minutes to read Luke 15:11-21. So in this story, the son wanted to try things on his own and he left his father and went out into the world. We do the same thing to God so many times. God, as our father, wants to keep us in his hug, his embrace because that is the best place for us to be. In this story, there are many things that the son did that we have been known to do as well. First of all, the son wanted out. How often do we want out of God's arms, even though we know it's the best place for us? Second, the son lived undisciplined and messed around with sin. Satan knows how to tempt us and knows how to make sin look really good. Third, the son wasted everything living this way. We think things are going so great when we live the way we want to until we realize that we have lost everything that was so great when we were living for God. Guys, sin can draw you in and it can destroy a lot of things in your life! Fourth, the son found himself feeding the pigs, which is most likely not what he expected. How often do we find ourselves doing things that are not in God's plan for us? Fifth, the son realized that what he was doing was wrong. Do we ever stop to think about what we're doing and how it will hurt us and where it will take us? Sixth, the son admitted he was wrong. Our Father is a loving and forgiving father. We have to admit we're wrong and we have to turn the other way and stop doing what we're doing. Finally, the son got up and went to his father. We need to make an effort with God. We need to realize where we've gone wrong and run to God. Now what about the father's response? It is much like God's response for His children. The father in the story saw his son when he was still way off. Jesus is always watching us and always wanting to hug on us. The father in the story ran to his son, heart pounding, just so he could embrace him. That's how God is with us. He wants to pursue us and love us and embrace us just like little children get hugs from their daddies. The father wanted his son back in his arms and once he was there, the father threw a party! God loves us so much that He rejoices when we come back into His arms, no matter what we've done. Are you in God's arms tonight?