Fields United Methodist Church

Day 30.  Take Time to Be Holy

May 5, 2020

“for this son of mine was dead and was alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to celebrate.”  Luke 15:24

Read: Luke 15:11-32

In the story of the Prodigal Son, when the son decided that he needed to return home, he just knew his dad would be mad and that he would no longer be welcome. But the exact opposite happened; his dad was so filled with joy that he ran to his returning son and welcomed him with open arms. Early one morning I was taking a walk down a soon-to-be busy city street and happened by a church with a sign hanging on the main entrance, “do not enter, private worship.” It seemed to be odd that such a sign would hang on a church door since worship is the celebration of the presence of God and an offering of praise to the One who has called each of us be name. There is no such thing as “private worship” and there is no such thing as God turning someone away who has turned back to the loving arms of God through Jesus Christ.  There are no signs, locked doors, nor hardened hearts that Jesus cannot overcome; you are loved far too much for any restrictions placed between you and God to keep you away from a new life of celebration, hope, and grace. When John Newton turned away from his days of slave trading, Jesus welcomed him home. Newton penned these words in 1779, “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.” The amazing grace of Jesus the Christ is offered to you today, whoever and where ever you may find yourself today. No matter how far you have wondered away and no matter the path you have chosen to take in this life apart from Jesus, when you turn back to God you will be welcomed home with great celebration and the gift of another chance; the gift of grace. Now that is something to celebrate! Thank you Jesus!

How does knowing Jesus loves you, even and especially you, make you feel?

How could you share the grace of Jesus Christ with someone today?

How are you taking time to be holy?

Prayer: Jesus, I confess to you that I have strayed a bit from the life you have offered me. Help me to turn my life over to your never-ending grace and know your love that has no bounds. Thank you Jesus, for another chance.  Amen