March 4

March 4, 2026

Read: Luke 15:11-32

Devotion: 

When I was in high school my brother and I took a road trip to visit a friend out of state. On our way there the drive was relatively uneventful. This was our first unsupervised trip so we were being very cautious as we navigated unfamiliar roads.  On the return trip we had gained some confidence and as we got closer to home and the scenery became more familiar, we increasingly desired to test the limits of the maroon box that 1980’s automakers called a minivan. So we took that box to a speed that made it shake and soon discovered we had also tested the limits of the law, as indicated by the red and blue lights glimmering in the rear view mirror. 

I say “we”, but at that moment I became very aware that it was I who was driving. As I spoke with the officer and received a citation my nerves were buzzing and my heart was racing. When he walked back to his car and I proceeded toward home my nervous energy turned to dread as I thought about facing my dad and telling him what I had done. 

He had trusted me to be mature enough to take this trip and I had broken the law. 

I didn’t feel worthy of his approval. 

It was a slow and quiet ride the rest of the way home. 

When we arrived I knew it would do me no good to delay…I needed to face the music and get it over with. I went straight in, found my dad and told him what happened. 

To my confusion, he didn’t seem bothered. I quickly learned that it was partly because he knew that the van was intact despite my reckless driving and not he, but I would be paying the ticket. But he was also not bothered by what his son was saying because his son was in fact in front of him, home safe. 

I learned that day that although my dad raised us with high expectations for behavior, his love for us is not diminished by disappointment.  

In retrospect, I also see that his love for us does not increase when we’re impressive. 

He did not turn to my brother and congratulate him for driving more safely than me.  I also believe that if my brother had tried to play the “well I didn’t get a ticket” card, my dad’s response would not have been a pat on the back, but a hand on the shoulder with advice to hold his tongue.

My dad’s love is based on us being his sons. For that I am very thankful. But not as thankful as I am for the similar, but immensely greater love of my Heavenly Father. 

You see I’ve taken some spiritual road trips. I’ve driven recklessly on the spiritual highway. I have totaled my spiritual minivan and I have been badly wounded. But when I returned home and limped to the door my Heavenly Father made a sacrifice to welcome me back into His presence. 

I have also watched spiritual brothers and sisters return home and at times I have hesitated to join the welcome party.  I have sat on the sideline questioning their sincerity.  And still His invitation for me to be with Him remains open.

On either side of the coin…whether we relate to the younger brother or the older brother…we have a choice to make:  get over our past and see that He wants us to come to Him, or dwell on our past and stay distant from Him.  

Sometimes our past is shaded, sometimes it is shiny; neither change the love He has for us or the choice He has given us through Jesus Christ.

Reflect:

Have you done something in your life that is holding you back from approaching God? Or that you are holding back from giving up in order to be with Him?

Are you holding back from joining God’s welcome party? Are you trying to protect the riches of God for yourself? Or are you sharing Him without restraint?

Pray:

Heavenly Father, thank you for welcoming me into your presence through Jesus Christ. Thank you for loving me despite my past choices and for giving me a choice to come to you.  Help me to continue to let go and teach me to love like you.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.