Anchorage: The Storm of Shame | Part 8 of 8Sample

The Humility of Homecoming

Many-a-time pride plays a major role in hindering our freedom from shame. We know we have messed up, but taking steps towards repentance and humility can seem too overwhelming, mainly because that means change and perhaps a lack of comfortability. It seems a lot easier to hide in the trees and pretend everything is still OK. Meanwhile, we're lying to ourselves. We're walking out an identity not intended for us. The masks go up. Some of us have become so good at it that we now have forgotten our true selves.

We are all too familiar with the parable of the prodigal son. Between the decision of the son to leave and the decision of the father to take him back, another crucial decision was made. This was the decision to return, a humility preceding homecoming. The son had realized his mistake, just as most of us can easily identify ourselves. We know when we're in the wrong. That is perhaps not the hard part. However, accepting the error is essential by openly choosing to remember home, turn around, and go back.

This is where most of us get stuck. Our pride prevents us from doing that. We’d rather stay miserable than admit our mistakes openly. God, of course, would rather us turn back before the breaking point of sitting with the pigs, but allows for free will to run its course. No matter how much wrong he had done, the prodigal son turned everything around with one act of humility.

A step of humility is a step to return to your true identity; your true self. Who you are is a son of God, and the Father awaits with His arms wide open.

Reflection

There are always areas of our hearts and minds that are being 'brought home' to the Lord. Our minds are being renewed day by day. Ask God, "What thought patterns are still far off from you?" Imagine him running to embrace you as you turn in humility towards Him.