Grand Sweep Daily
Ecclesiastes 6:1-6 (NIV)
1 I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men: 2 God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil. 3 A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. 5 Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man – 6 even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?
John 14:5-6 (NIV)
5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Good morning!
“I’m running away!” I heard my five-year old son announce one morning from the breakfast table, after he decided he did not want to obey me. I chuckled under my breath as I grabbed the cloth suitcase from the top of the closet shelf, so that Benjie could pack his things. He was angry with me because I told him no, and he didn’t like it, not one little bit. Benjie began to grab some favorite toys to put in the suitcase, as I stood by shaking my head. “No, son, you can’t take those things with you. They need to stay here.” “Why not?” Ben looked at me with tear-filled eyes. “They are not yours to take. They belong to all of us.” The look of surprise and dismay on his face is one I will never, ever forget. That look reminded me of a similar glance I’ve given to the Lord from time to time. Benjie grabbed his pajamas, his favorite blankie and the Donald Duck pillow my mother made him. He slept with his arms wrapped around his precious pillow every night. Then he zipped the suitcase shut. “Goodbye Mommy,” Ben said, as he struggled to carry the luggage down the hallway and out the front door. “I love you Benjamin, and I miss you already. Come home soon, “I replied, as I stood at the door and waved. I watched my son trudge down the driveway to the sidewalk in front of our house.
“What’s up?” Jeff had joined me at the doorway. “Benjie has decided to run away from home.” We stood at the door and watched, hoping and praying he would choose to turn around and come back before one of us would have to go after him. Free will can be a beautiful thing; it can also be one of the most difficult gifts God has ever given us.
Have you ever wanted to run away from God? He gives us life – then lets us choose how we will live it. He blesses us with prosperity, yet we must decide whether to embrace it, bless others with it, or squander it away. He shows us The Way home through the awesome love of His only Son, Jesus Christ; yet allows us the freedom to choose whether or not we will ask Him to come into our hearts. The disciples wanted to know where Jesus was headed. They did not seem to know the way home, even when He was standing right in front of them. Jesus said, “I am The Way, The Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
Jesus is crying out to you and me today. Can’t you hear Him say: “I am the One you’ve been looking for your entire life. Follow me home! I can get you back on track. I can help heal the hurt in your heart. I can give you everything you’ve ever longed for, all that you need is through me. Come to me now! I’m waiting right here for you! I’m standing at your door and knocking – why won’t you let me in? Will you choose me, even when you don’t like my instructions? Will you follow me, even when the road is not easy? I’ve given you everything you need to be happy and free. You lack nothing through me – I have given it all up for you. Won’t you choose to come home?”
Benjie walked down the sidewalk slowly. After a slight hesitation and with tears streaming down his little face, he turned around and headed back toward the open front door. “Mommy, I’m coming home,” he cried. Running out onto the driveway in my pajamas, I scooped up that sweet little boy, hugged the stuffing out of him, and said, “I’m so glad you came home! I’ve missed you so much!” Hand-in-hand, we walked through the front door, where his father was standing, grinning at both of us. Benjie got a pat on the head and a hug from his dad. Sometimes, a hug is all we need to know what we’ve been missing out on all our life.
Are you ready to come home to Jesus Christ today?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
Pray for: courage to turn around and come home to the Lord of life. He can take even the most stubborn soul and soften it for kingdom work, if you will just invite Him to come in. He is standing at the door knocking. The rest is up to you.
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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
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