‘I will arise and go to my father’…

At a deep level this son knew that his father would accept him – he knew his father…

The father had to let him leave – it was his choice to go…

The father had to endure the pain of waiting for him to return – of his own volition…

There was something deep inside this son which knew his father – he knew his father’s heart – he knew that his father would receive him – if only as a slave, he knew his father would receive him – he knew where he belonged…

And after going through what he needed to go through – sowing his wild oats so to speak – he returned to his father – and his father was waiting – waiting with open arms to receive his son – his lost son…

There are those of us who need to practically know our place – once we practically know ‘where we belong’ we are freed to grow in the protection and security of that place – ‘our place’ so to speak in the world…

‘A place to stand’ or Tūrangawaewae in Maori…

And from this place of acceptance having experienced all that the world has to offer and having found it empty we can serve – we can freely serve the Living God – not because we have to but because we want to – we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good – that the Lord is as good as His word to never forsake us or leave us and to never condemn us…

His Blood is strong…

Very Strong…

Stronger than any condemnation and His Blood is always welcoming us home…