Welcome to Abundant Love, an eight day email series exploring God’s rich love for us through Scripture and story. Today’s devotional was written by Erin Strybis.
“[Love] bears all things, believes all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7).
Reflection
It starts like this: you want to see the world, forge your own adventure — unlike your brother whose only wish is to stay on this Godforsaken family farm. You ask your old man for your share of the inheritance, and, because he’s kind and generous, he obliges. Bank accounts full, you book a one-way ticket to Vegas.
You indulge in five-star dining and fantastic entertainment. Sumptuous clothes. The finest hotels. Drinks all day and casino evenings. You are surrounded by beauty, by new friends, the shining lights, and what is the expression, oh yes, carpe diem — surely you’re seizing each day, each pleasure-filled moment.
Until the moment you max out your credit cards. Hearing you’ve lost it all, your new friends vanish. You look in the hotel mirror at your haggard reflection. You say to yourself, My God, what have I done? I can’t go back to Dad. What will I do?
A farmer takes pity on you and offers you work as a day laborer. The work is grueling; the pay’s so poor you find yourself fantasizing about eating the pigs’ slop. You think, surely Dad treated his farmhands better than this. You are at the end of yourself. You resolve to go home, throw yourself at his feet and beg to work for the farm you once scorned.
When you finally reach the old, familiar road leading to the farm, shame ripples through your body. If you weren’t so hungry, you’d turn back now. The sun beats down on your tired frame and in the distance you see a man walking toward you.
Wait, is that Dad?
Now the man isn’t walking, he’s sprinting. “My child!” the man cries out, tears streaming down his cheeks. He flings his arms wide and embraces you with all his might, transporting you to a time when you were much smaller, careening on uncertain limbs until you crashed. Your father found you, swept you into his arms — it seemed he held the whole world in his hands — and kissed your forehead.
Your tears come quickly now, a rushing river, and you mumble the speech you’d been rehearsing on the long trip home, “I am no longer worthy to be your-” Your father, a kind and generous man, cuts you off, pulls you close and declares to his staff: “Quickly, bring out a robe — the best one — and put it on my son; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” (Luke 15:22-24).
***
Can you remember a time in your life when you felt utterly hopeless, like the prodigal son in Jesus’ parable?
Maybe you spoke harsh words to someone, or let something go unsaid or undone. Maybe you let the trappings of this world — technology, for example — become an idol. Maybe you lied. Small lies at first but then a big one. Maybe you feel like whatever you did was unforgivable.
We are all carrying burdens, some so heavy we can barely name them, that make us turn from God in shame. Reformer Martin Luther describes believers as both saints and sinners, all bearers of light who are continually in need of God’s healing grace. God desires that we lead lives of love and service to others, but when we stray from that path, we don’t need to earn God’s love back — we will always have it.
Like the prodigal father, nothing makes God happier than receiving you in God’s arms, wrapping you in love, reminding you of your worth. God adores you.
Wherever you’re at today, know that God waits for you and longs for you to return so God can clothe and celebrate you. God bears your burdens, forgives your wrongdoings, believes in your inherent goodness. God sent his son Jesus to die for your sins so that you might “have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
This Valentine’s Day and always, may you know that God loves you beyond measure. May you know God’s arms are forever open to you, ready to clothe you in grace.
Questions for pondering
What burdens are you carrying today? What do you need to release to God?
What resources or habits help you clothe yourself and others in God’s love?
Practice
Find one person in your extended circle who could use words of affirmation. Contact them today — with a call, email or text — and let them know they are so loved by you, and by God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
you know the quiet burdens I carry,
you know my heart, the ways I have
strayed from your love.
You are the one who
welcomes me in,
opens your arms with deep compassion,
wraps me up in fine garments,
celebrates my homecoming.
Center me in my identity
as your beloved child
so that, cloaked in your grace
I might go out into the world
and share your abundant love
with others.
Amen.
Thanks for joining us for day five of your Abundant Love devotional.
We'll see you tomorrow for day six of our series: The God who embraces you.