Heaven From Mosaic MSCSample

15

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 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. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:21-24 (NIV)

The song 15 on our album Heaven is based off the prodigal son in Luke 15. I love how the father in the story wastes no time in embracing his son when the son returns home. The son can’t even finish his practiced apology speech before the father cuts him off and orders the servants to throw the son a big party to celebrate his return. 

I think we can all relate to the son, and how he acts earlier in the story. He wanted what actually belonged in his future so badly that he demanded his inheritance from his father and took it into his own hands. He gained everything that was promised to him, but on his own it got him nowhere. He spent all of his money and came home starving, willing to work as a servant for his father just to eat.

I can only take my dreams for my life so far on my own. I need God in my life to mold and shape those dreams into a bigger purpose. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” I want the great things that God has for my life, but there’s no shortcut—just pursuing Jesus with faithfulness and intention.

And Jesus is right there, like the father in this story, ready to bring us in and celebrate our return. No matter how far we may wander off course, Jesus will never give up on us. I love the sample we used in the song—from Pastor Erwin McManus’ message “Nothing Wasted” — that even when we mess up and run away, there is nothing wasted in our life. Even the doubt and fear and moments of weakness can be used by God beautifully, to remind us that He’s still right there. Every winding curve on our journey pursuing Jesus has purpose.

-Aaron Weits

ACTION

Ask God what His dreams are for your life and begin to pursue them. Practice patience while walking in the confidence that your Father adores you and wants the best for you.

PRAYER

Jesus, thank you for the freedom You give us. To choose. To choose a future with You, and to run straight into Your arms. You never give up on me—no matter how far I wander or fall. Help me to choose You every day, in every moment. Amen.