I found myself in the squalor of my own ‘pig slop’ just as the prodigal son did. I had to stray far so I could begin to understand that the recklessness of my choice to have ‘my portion’ right now placed me in ruins. I had foolishly pursued many temporary things such as wealth, power, and success. With a present-tense gratification, without any care or concern about my future…my selfish nature wanted it now!

As this prodigal son journeys home, covered with the muddy filth and stench of the pig’s squalor and gets closer to his father’s house, the more his heart begins to beat at the thought of having to face his father. Something strange begins to unfold within this scene of anxious desperation; the father is actually anticipating his return and runs toward his broken, filth-covered son. The father does not respond to what the son had done, but according to his own loving heart as a father. This is the same way God acts toward us when we run back to Him. The father loves his son more than he could ever have imagined, and the same love that received him as a son enables him to enter the house again as a son. The servants are sent to find the best robe and put it on the son; in our wretchedness, we are clothed with Jesus when we enter the Father’s house, which is just awesome! This is Heaven’s best robe, Heaven’s best love, Heaven’s most incredible grace; it is God Himself and He offers Himself as a gift to everyone!

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. -Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

God wanted to take all the years of pain, failures, trials, rejections, betrayals, circumstances, anger, nonforgiveness, regrets, and bitterness and weave it all together into something good and beautiful. Piercing through the darkness the Lord gently whispered to my heart, “I am the God who created you and I am the God who loves you more than you can imagine! My precious child, place your life in My hands and let Me take all the heavy burdens that are weighing you down. I want to carry you away to a place only found through My winds of change. I want to show you how to live!”