Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.  The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.  “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.  So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.  He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!  I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’  So he got up and went to his father. “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.  “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. ‘  “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.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.  “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’  “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.  But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.  But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’  ” ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.  But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ “ Luke 15:11-32

Whether you find yourself in either role today you have found something more valuable than you can imagine.  I hope that you are aware of what you have found in Jesus, or rather how He has found you!

You see, the young son  learned the true meaning of living and the older son learned the true meaning of dying.  Both needed their unique awareness to further their relationship with their father.  Each had to learn it in their own way….

Whatever unique situation you find yourself in today, you can learn today; You can KNOW that He sees you afar off and is running to meet you with open arms and that He is always with you and given you everything.  You can learn today from wherever you are and choose to celebrate it, maybe even grieve it, and then move on….it all hinges on your perspective.

We are all lost  and where He and how He finds us is just the beginning of the journey.  It is THIS  life-giving relationship that continues to bid, “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 

Let’s celebrate our journey today, friends!  Look what we have found…..Him!!!!