Jesus People: Fight for RelationshipSample

So Worth Fighting For

When the fight gets difficult, where do you go? Do you run away? Do you hide?

In the story of the prodigal son, the son leaves his father, takes his inheritance, and runs off to live the life he thought he wanted – the life of a prodigal. I have to imagine that he ran because the fight got difficult. The relationships required too much work, wounds were way too deep, running must have felt right.

The first glance of freedom probably felt exhilarating. The endless possibilities that come with being independent, living free from prior mistakes, wealth at his fingertips to do with it as he pleases, a brand new start – what an enticing offer. What a journey to be on.

Then the fight comes again. The fight against loneliness. The fight against loss. The fight against anxiety. The fight against unforgiveness, bitterness, foolishness and pride. The feeling of, “Oh no! What have I done? How do I get back? Can I please press rewind?”

But wait, where’s the father in the story? He’s fighting too. Surely he’s angry. Frustrated. Confused. Hurt. Betrayed. How does he respond when his son finally wants to return? When the fight gets difficult for the father, where does he go?

The father fights too – not against his son, FOR his son. He goes running after his son. He fights for a restored relationship with his son. He celebrates his son, embraces his son, reunites with his son.

Do you know that your Heavenly Father is fighting for a relationship with you right here and now? Maybe for your relationship with Him to be restored. Or maybe for your relationship with him to be strengthened. Or maybe for your relationship with Him to begin.

The Father decided that you and I were so worth fighting for. So much that He went to the cross for us. That he rose from the grave for us. That he offers new life for us. That he wants to be in relationship with us!

What hope does that give you today, friend?

You are so worth fighting for. Your Father is running after you, ready to embrace you, and is fighting for relationship with you today.

When the fight gets difficult, where do you go? Do you run away? Do you hide?

Jesus People rest in the embrace of a Father who fights for them.

Pray: Thank God for being a Father who fights for His kids. Praise Him for being a God who desires relationship with you. Spend some time remembering a moment where this felt like your story and talk with Jesus about that time.