S E E K W E E K D A Y S I X // S A T U R D A Y A U G U S T 2 6

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” // Luke 15: 25-32

Today, we are invited to search our hearts again, and discover any place where we may have become lost while remaining “at home” — like the elder son. As Henri Nouwen points out, “obedience and duty have become a burden, and service has become slavery” for the older brother, and in many ways he is just as lost in his resentment as the younger son has been in his rebellion. Where might God be calling us into a “leap of faith” into celebration, into our true inheritance, into becoming more like our Father? Nouwen writes:

“The leap of faith always means loving without expecting to be loved in return, giving without wanting to receive, inviting without hoping to be invited, holding without asking to be held. And every time I make a little leap, I catch a glimpse of the One who runs out to me and invites me into his joy, the joy in which I can find not only myself; but also my brothers and sisters. Thus the disciplines of trust and gratitude reveal the God who searches for me, burning with desire to take away all my resentments and complaints and to let me sit at his side at the heavenly banquet.”

Community practice: Take a prayer walk around your community.

We are taking one more prayer walk today. Remember, Jesus did much of his ministry while he was walking with his disciples and the people who needed him so desperately. In the book “Three Mile an Hour God”, the author Kosuke Koyama says, “Love has its speed. It is a spiritual speed. It is a different kind of speed from the technological speed to which we are accustomed. It goes on in the depth of our life, whether we notice or not, at three miles an hour.” So today, you’re invited to head out into your neighborhood, or even a nearby walking trail, and spend some time praying as you walk. Today, reflect on everything you’ve experienced this week, and allow the love of God and Jesus to sink into the depth of your life as you walk with Jesus. Let the Holy Spirit bring up themes and thoughts that you can contemplate for weeks to come.

Scripture:  Psalm 23, Romans 8 MSG

Prayer: In whatever time you are able, spend time in prayer with Jesus — the Beloved Son of God, who modeled what it looks like to truly receive God’s love and then give it away without fear of scarcity, resentment, or doubt. A prayer prompt is provided below, or you can pray as you feel led.

Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I know that You are here with me. That You are always here with me. When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, You are by my side. I don’t have to be afraid because You are my shield, my refuge, and my covering. You are my Father. God, there are places in my life where I don’t feel safe — where it feels like there might not be enough for me to celebrate fully — and I’m inviting You into those places right now, to bring Your presence, Your joy, and Your grace into that situation. I believe You are more than able, and I want to join You at the table You have prepared. Thank You, God, that You have never abandoned me. Thank You, Jesus, that You have never forsaken me. Thank You, Holy Spirit, that You will always comfort me. I love You, I trust You, and I will follow You with all of my heart. Amen.

Devotional time // journaling questions:

1. What image from the suggested Scripture verses struck you today? Press in to that image and spend some time with Jesus asking why that particular moment is so important to you right now.

2. Where do you sense God inviting you to trust His goodness, even if it feels too extravagant?

3. If you are comfortable, ask the Holy Spirit to show you a picture of the celebration table that God has prepared for you. You might describe it in words in your journal, see a picture in your holy imagination, or just get a feeling of what Heaven’s celebration is like. Spend some time in that place, remembering that God is always with you, and everything He has is yours.