How Did We End Up Here

Tuesday, September 22

This week we are reflecting on the question; how did I end up here? Yesterday we used it as a guiding element of growth and encouragement. It can also be an assessment; do I need to make a course correction in life because I have wandered from my true north? Do I need to reroute because I’ve not been walking faithfully with God or I’ve walked away from the things of God? Where you’ve paused and said, how did I end up here?

Probably why one of my favorite stories that Jesus tells is exactly that. The younger son says, “how did I end up here, especially when my father has all that he does?”

You may know the story as the prodigal son. Remember the younger son wanted his inheritance early, his father gave it to him and he went off, ran away from his father and spent it on wild living.

Read Luke 15:17-20- 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

Did you see it? How did I end up here? He came to his senses and went back to his father.
Keep reading, what was the father’s response? Luke 15:20-24- “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “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. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Father’s response to the son wandering away, ending up in a place that was far from him, was a response of celebration, love, renewed identity. The son came home, came back to the father he offended and the father’s response was celebrating his son’s homecoming, love, and a renewed identity.

Reflect for a moment, some of you have wandered off and you’ve wondered, how did I end up here? Come to your senses and run to the father, come home. As you reflect, use this song as a guiding element as well. Run to the Father