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Day 3: Shame

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So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. –Luke 15:20

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We’re a lot like the prodigal son.

He arrived at his dad's house, ashamed. He had squandered his inheritance. As a result, he was willing to settle for scraps from his father's table. He thought that’s what he deserved—that’s what he was worth. Sound familiar?

But when the prodigal son showed up, his dad ran to him, embraced him, and gave him a robe, a ring, and a celebration for his return.

"I don't deserve this,” the prodigal son probably thought. “I'm not good enough for this."

He was stunned by his dad’s reaction to his return. And it likely made him uncomfortable. His dad’s acceptance challenged what he believed about himself. He had to get used to being embraced like that.

In a similar way, God’s response to you sometimes doesn’t make sense.

He knows everything about you and He wants you anyway. He gives you gifts–He sent His Son to die for you.

And that challenges what we sometimes think of ourselves—that we aren’t good enough, that we aren’t lovable, that decisions we’ve made have made us unworthy.

But there’s a reason God embraces you.

God loves you and gave Jesus to pay for your sins.

Your decisions don’t determine your goodness. What Christ did for you does. He sees you in the perfection of His Son. He says you’re worth loving. And you are already loved.

Romans 8:1 says “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” And no matter what you’ve done, you belong to Him.

Pray

You are such a good Father! Sometimes, I feel ashamed of the decisions I’ve made—sometimes I feel unlovable. And while it might take some getting used to, I am grateful that You embrace me completely. Please remind me frequently that I am fully loved.

Reflect

What relationships or dating-related decisions have caused you shame? What does the parable of the prodigal son imply about what God thinks of you, despite your past?