Restoring Honor

I sat in church last Sunday and listen to a man talk about reentering society after four years in prison.  He was brutally honest about his past, his addictions, and his intense struggle to stay clean. He was not a paid speaker, nor was he someone asked to give his testimony. This was just a guy sitting behind me, speaking from his heart. It was his first time in church, brought there by his brother.  He is desperately seeking restoration, but it is obvious that his struggle is not over.

Another man gave him encouragement, and shared a testimony that I had heard before. Actually, I was there several years back, and witnessed when his transgression became public. That night was not rock bottom for him.  Decline took another few years to manifest before he was ready to again accept God's grace. He described his fist-shaking anger at God. His self pity, hopelessness and depression. 

This was a gifted, praying man, who was always deep in the word. Until that is, he allowed compromise to creep in. He never believed that he would be vulnerable. He insisted that he was strong enough to resist temptation. And he never thought he would slip away from always doing what was right. But he fell, and fell very hard.

But God is good, and always faithful. When we turn to Him, confess our sins, truly repent and trust, we give God exactly what He needs to fully restore us.  

As I listened to his witness, God revealed to me, the multiplied glory that comes to those lost, who choose return home.  I had written the message "Lost and Found" Saturday (the day before), but listening to my friend speak about his recovery, brought even more clarity to the parable of the prodigal son.

God grieves when He loses a son or daughter, but is OVERWHELMED with joy upon their return. In many ways, I think those who experience absolute life changing atonement and restoration, are risen to even greater heights.  God uses their example, to show the complete depth and breadth of His forgiveness. 

  

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.