Luke 15:20 - So he got up and started back to his father. He was still a
long way from home when his father saw him; his heart was filled with
pity, and he ran, threw his arms around his son, and kissed him. (GNT)
One of my daughters and her family has moved back to The Rock. Years
ago, I did not know that there is a place called The Rock, let alone how
big it is or where it is. Is it in Canada? The United States? Another
country across the ocean?
Since this daughter married a fellow
from Newfoundland, Canada, we have learned a bit about that province,
which is called The Rock. The reason for the name is quite obvious:
Newfoundland is mountainous and rocky. There are many people from
Newfoundland who live here in Alberta. Many of them come and stay here
the rest of their lives. But like my daughter's husband, many of them
feel restless and move back to where their roots are. Their family is
there, waiting to welcome them back to the solid rock of their homeland.
It is a long journey across a wide country from Alberta to Atlantic
Canada, but my daughter's family prepared to move back to The Rock. Once
they headed out, they encountered some struggles as they journeyed, but
they persevered. They spent some long days to reach The Rock.
I
thought about Jesus being our Rock. He died so that we can have eternal
life. We can go to Him, accept the life He offers to us, and found our
life on the solid Rock. There are times in our lives, though, that we
stray, although our roots are still with our Rock. We feel restless, and
deep in our hearts, we know that we are to head back to our Rock.
Sometimes, the road back is rough and hard and long, requiring
repentance, restitution, or a change of lifestyle. Like my daughter's
family, we, too, need to persevere and keep heading back to the Rock.
When my family arrived on The Rock, what a relief it was for them.
They had reached their destination. I can envision them relaxing and
being so glad they made it safe and sound. I can imagine their family
there, waiting and welcoming them when they arrived. In our verse for
today from Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son, the father, representing
God, welcomed the son back home. God the Father is also waiting for us
to come back to Jesus, our Rock, and welcomes us when we do. Once we
have come back to the Rock, we feel relieved as well. The Rock is solid.
We are safe.
Let's remember our roots.
Prayer: Lord Jesus,
thank You that You love us so much. Thank You that You died for our
sins, offering us eternal life in doing so. Thank You that You are the
Rock of Ages and that we are safe with You. Amen.
Judy Miller
gjmiller@PROTECTED
Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
Thanks to
http://daily.presbycan.ca