A Long Way Off

Don’t you love it when you read a passage of Scripture and something jumps out at you that you had not noticed before?  Sometimes it may be the Holy Spirit giving you that insight or it might be simply your own mind discerning more of the richness of Scripture, but either way it is a treasured experience.  This happened to me recently when reading the story of the Prodigal son in Luke 15. 

In verse 20 when the son is coming home, it says, “And he arose and came to his father.  But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”  That phrase “while he was still a long way off” struck me.  The son was working his way back home – he was not there yet, but the father saw him and looked on him with compassion.  The father ran to him, just as our Father runs to us, and is always pursuing us with his love.  Even when it may seem we are “a long way off,” still he looks on with compassion, knowing we are headed toward him. 

Maybe you know someone like that – I sure do.  Maybe someone you love is making their way home but still a long way off, a long way from where they should be.  Maybe you yourself are that someone. 

Whatever the case may be, rest assured the Father loves you, and sees you, and comes running to meet you. 

He is longing to welcome you home.