Our God Will See Us ThroughNäide

PRODIGALS

By Lauren Lee Anderson

Have you ever felt the weight of shame? As a child, I had a funny way of dealing with feelings of shame, especially when it involved my parents.

Anytime I did something wrong, I couldn't bring myself to apologize to them face to face. Instead, I’d go to my room and write a letter detailing my confession. Then, I’d leave it at their bedroom door, in hopes of cleaning up the mess and avoiding any further feelings of guilt.

I found out later that my parents kept some of these letters, and we actually laugh about them now. The truth is they were always willing to forgive me and make things right. In reality, I had nothing to fear. It was my own worry or pride that kept me from accepting their forgiveness and love.

I realized recently that sometimes I do the same thing in my relationship with God. In the moments when I make decisions contrary to his will, lose my temper, sin against someone I love, or reject the truths he so patiently reveals to me, it’s tempting to let my fear or pride keep me stuck in my shame.

We see this mirrored in the story of the prodigal son. He decided to leave his father’s house, determined to live his own way. But when that failed, he had a choice. He could choose to stay stuck in the ruin of his own decisions, or he could return, in humility and brokenness, to his father’s house.

In a miraculous turn of events, not only did the father welcome the son home, but he was so overjoyed he threw a party in celebration. While the son was hoping, at best, to become a hired servant, the father generously restored him as his son, along with all the privileges and rights a son would have.

Here’s the thing: That’s what is waiting for us on the other side, when we turn toward home. We don’t have to sheepishly live in the shadow of our sin. We don’t have to cower, overwhelmed by the weight of our disobedience. We don’t have to write a letter, leaving it at our Father’s doorstep with our fingers crossed. God has opened the door to a relationship with him, and he is calling you home even now.

So, what’s the thing that’s keeping you from coming home? What’s holding you back from laying it at his feet and standing tall, confident in your position as a son or daughter? This week, ask God to help you have the courage to let go of your guilt and shame and trade them for confidence in being a known, loved, and celebrated child of God.