The Father Who Runs (Luke 15:20)
Have you ever wondered if God is disappointed in you? Perhaps there have been moments when you felt distant from him, burdened by mistakes, regrets, or choices you wish you could undo. Father’s Day often reminds us of the relationships that have shaped us, for good or for ill. Yet Jesus offers us a picture of a Father whose love is greater than our failures. In Luke 15:20, Jesus tells of the prodigal son: “But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him” (NRSV). Before the son could explain himself or prove his worth, the father was already moving toward him in love. This image reveals the heart of God. The father in the parable does not wait with crossed arms and a list of conditions. He watches, he notices, and he runs. God’s grace reaches toward us long before we deserve it. Yet the son still had to rise and begin the journey home. Grace invites, and we respond. This is the beautiful partnership of...