Listen To Him

This week we explored the profound theme of being found by God, as illustrated in Luke 15. This chapter contains a trilogy of parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. These stories are not merely about being lost but are a celebration of being found. They reveal the heart of God, who seeks out the lost with relentless grace and love.

We began by acknowledging the challenge of listening to God, an invisible presence that often seems silent. Yet, as Dallas Willard suggests, we are in God's will when we live the life He desires for us. This involves a deep intertwining of hearing and doing His will, much like a parent who desires their children's joy and happiness. Our choices, whether within or outside of God's will, shape our lives and our relationship with Him.

The parables in Luke 15 offer a powerful narrative of God's grace. The lost sheep represents those who wander off, not out of rebellion but out of foolishness. The shepherd's search and the village's joy upon the sheep's return illustrate God's grace that seeks us out. The lost coin, misplaced and disconnected, symbolizes those who are lost through no fault of their own. God's grace is depicted as a woman who lights a lamp and sweeps the house until the coin is found, showing that we are never invisible to God.

The story of the prodigal son is perhaps the most well-known, highlighting a father's unconditional love and forgiveness. The younger son's journey from rebellion to repentance and the father's eager embrace upon his return is a vivid picture of grace that restores. The elder brother's reaction, filled with bitterness and jealousy, serves as a reminder of the dangers of a transactional relationship with God, rather than one based on love and grace.

These parables challenge us to reflect on our own lives. Are we wandering, unsure, or buried under shame? Are we resentful of grace given to others? Regardless of where we find ourselves, God's grace is always seeking us, ready to embrace us and celebrate our return. This trilogy is a celebration of foundness, a reminder that when we come home to grace, there is joy in heaven.

Key Takeaways:

1. Listening to God: Understanding God's will involves living the life He desires for us, which is not always about doing but being in alignment with His preferences. Our choices shape our relationship with God, and we must strive to hear His voice amidst the noise of life.

2. The Lost Sheep: The parable of the lost sheep teaches us that God's grace seeks us out even when we wander off foolishly. The shepherd's search and the village's joy upon the sheep's return illustrate the relentless pursuit of God's love.

3. The Lost Coin: This story highlights that we can be lost through no fault of our own, yet God's grace tirelessly searches for us. We are never invisible to God, and His grace values and seeks out the forgotten and misplaced.

4. The Prodigal Son: The father's unconditional love and forgiveness in this parable show us that God's grace restores us, regardless of our past rebellion. The elder brother's reaction warns against a transactional relationship with God, urging us to embrace grace and love.

5. Celebration of Foundness: These parables are not about lostness but the joy of being found. They remind us that God's grace seeks the foolish, values the forgotten, and forgives the rebellious, inviting us to come home to grace and experience the joy of heaven.