Sacred Strokes

Calling you Back Home “…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.” Luke 15:20 (NIV) Have you ever found yourself somewhere you thought you would never be? I don’t mean just a physical place, but also a mental space. I have! Sometimes that place looks desolate, lonely, and overwhelming. Did we end up here by our own choices, or were we pushed by life’s circumstances? Either way, here we are. Sometimes it becomes a comfortable space. Comfortable in our anger, our loneliness, or our choices. We don’t want to change for fear we may have to be accountable for our actions or inactions. The surprising truth is that even as Christ-followers, we can still drift away from the One who saved us and holds us so dearly. In fact, I found myself in this place in my late 30s and early 40s. I was doing all the right things, leading worship, and a bible study, serving on church committees, directing VBS and heading up the church Harvest Carnival and yet, here I was in a place I should not be. It began with small compromises—flirting with the enemy, hanging my toes over the pit, inching closer to the edge, thinking I wouldn’t fall in. But I did. Shame and guilt wrapped its tentacles around me. Thankfully, I had a couple of accountability partners, along with my pastor, who spoke words of wisdom, grace and prayer into my life. It took time to claw my way up from the pit and there were times I succumbed to the temptation to be drawn back into the sin I was walking in. At one point, I remember saying, “God, I will do all the right things, follow the rules, but I am tired of trying to be a good Christian and live up to those standards placed on me.” One afternoon, while meeting with my pastor, I told him I didn’t believe I should be leading worship or several other commitments, since I was struggling in various areas of my life. His response reflected the heart of Jesus. To this day, I thank God for his wisdom and those life-changing words. He said, “Nettie, where would you be on Sunday morning or the nights of worship practice or bible study, if you quit all of your commitments?” I shrugged. He looked at me and said, “Further away from Jesus. The best place to be is somewhere you can be held accountable and continue to receive God’s grace.” I had never received grace like this before. In the church I grew up in, if you were flirting with sin, it was called out and you stepped away from everything you were doing. Shame was piled on and you never felt good enough to be used again. Jesus loves us so much! He gave us examples of others in the bible, like ourselves who stumbled and fell. Like Peter (it’s no surprise that my maiden name is Peterson) who was gung-ho to speak God’s truth until push came to shove, and the cock crowed three times. But Jesus in His mercy and grace, forgave Peter and used him in a mighty way. Have you drifted away from our Savior? If so, it’s never too late to hear His call to “come home”. He’s calling you today—to walk with him, to be used by Him, to know without a doubt that, even though you may have fallen, He can use it all. Dear Jesus, thank you that you love us so much, you continue to call us home, when we drift away from you. Thank you for forgiving me for my sins and loving me even when I am unlovable at times. Amen.