Accepted As I Am

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion...

Luke 15:20 (NIV)

Living the Sermon on the Mount Through the Practical Wisdom of Jesus' Parables

I want to appear better to other people than I really am. I can’t do that with God. He knows me. He knows my heart. Jesus tells me the Father doesn’t want my excuses. He is waiting with great anticipation for me just as I am. He is already watching the road—just like in the story of the prodigal son. The father didn't even wait for the son to reach the door. He ran to him, grace leading the way. Grace has a way of arriving before I can get my words and actions together.

This parable isn't only about leaving and returning — it's also about learning to receive. That turns out to be the harder half. I can manage guilt reasonably well. What undoes me is unearned kindness. Accepting that I am fully loved before I am fully fixed doesn't come naturally to me. But Jesus tells me that's not how the Father operates. He runs toward the mess, not after it's cleaned up.

What if…I stopped rehearsing and just came — and let the Father who is already watching the road do what He does best?

Lord, I keep trying to clean myself up before I come to You. Remind me today that You are already watching the road — and that You've never once waited for me to have it together. I'm done rehearsing. Here I am. Amen.

Let's do this together.

Founder, IHS Global