Day 16 - Dear God, I'm sorry (Luke 15:1-10)

My wife and I are hooked on the television show, "LOST." We started with it in season one, and it just keeps getting better. Granted, it's not for everyone, but we like it.

The basic plot is that a plane has crashed in the South Pacific, and a large group of survivors have been stranded on an island for about 120 days now. Faithful watchers are waiting to see if any of these people will find their way home, or find that all of this was really part of their "destiny" as humans.

Jesus has a huge heart for people who are "lost." Because we are made in His image and loved by Him, He is coming after each one of us.

In Luke 15, he gives three stories that describe God's personal mission to find us, welcome us, and throw a huge party for us!

First, it's the shepherd who loses a sheep. He has a hundred of them, but just one goes missing. He leaves the other 99 and goes after that one lost sheep.

Second, it's a woman who has lost a valuable coin. "It's somewhere in the house..." she thinks. She tears the place apart, she "sweeps the house" until she finds it. Relentless, just like the shepherd.

Third, it's a Father who has a young and distant son that he hasn't seen in ages. When the kid finally "came to his senses" (the Bible literally says that!) he heads home. While he is still far off, Dad sees him. Dad runs to his son. Dad hugs and kisses his boy.

In each of these three stories, Jesus mentions a common variable. Repentance. After the sheep is found, Jesus says, "there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents!" After the woman finds her coin, Jesus says, "there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Repentance. It means, "change your mind." "Turn your life around." "Come to your senses." "Run to God and get help!"

When the Dad sees his lost son, he throws a huge party - "let's have a feast and celebrate... this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'" The next line is classic - "So they began to celebrate."

If you confess your sins to God... talk openly with Him... you will find forgiveness... but you will also find GREAT JOY.

God is passionately running after you... turning the whole house upside down... as a loving Father who always misses me when I'm away... the main question of my day is this - will I turn around and see Him? Will I repent - change directions - and run to Him?

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Dear God, forgive me for running away at times. Please help me hear you, see you, know that you are waiting patiently, seeking passionately for an open relationship with me.

I know you're not doing this because You are "needy," but actually because You know that I am needy! You miss me and love me and want what's best for me - in every area of life!

Help me turn around and run to you... Help me repent personally, and ask you for the change of heart I so desperately need!