At the End of the Day

If you have not read Timothy Keller's The Prodigal God you are missing a wonderful, clear look into the heart of the gospel. God is a lavish extravagant God who richly blesses his sons even as they both constantly run from him; one through his lustful passions and the other through his passionless works. Both sons want their father's riches without the father himself. Listen to these amazing words from Keller...

“The story of Jesus tells us that our root problem is not just failing in our obediance to God [not being good enough...] but in RELYING on our obedience [being really, really good] to save us. Therefore, the gospel is a ‘third way’– neither religion NOR irreligion. The religious person may say, “I am doing the right things that God commands” and the irreligious person may say, “I decide what is right and wrong for myself.” But both ways reject Jesus as Savior (though they may revere Him as ‘Example’ or ‘Helper’). Both ways are strategies for self-salvation– both actually keep control of their own lives."

Wow. That is my heart. I constantly position myself to maintain control of my life instead of trusting and resting in Christ. Christianity is not religious law nor gratuitous self-indulgence... it is a relationship betwean a Father and the children he loves. When we cut out that relationship to seek only the riches gained by that acceptance and love, we hamstring the gospel and destroy the very heart and soul of Christianity.

Last night I came across an old receipt from a few months ago on which I had scribbled a chorus and a few lines of verse for a song I never finished. I stayed up till 2 but I think I finished it the way I originally intended. The song is about a Dad who loves his wayward boys and pursues them to bring them back to himself... It is a poem about our prodigal God:

I’ve been running from home for so long
Pursuing all that I knew to be wrong
I stole as much as I could as I spit in His face
Despising His love I trampled His grace
Not wanting my Dad only wanting His things
Worldly pleasures to flaunt my own play at king

How can I ever repay what I cost
The shame and death of bearing my cross
But as I opened my mouth to beg as a slave
He silenced my plea My son’s returned from the grave
Go slaughter the calf and prepare a great feast
Bring robes for my boy from bondage released

At the end of the day
When I’ve been running away
I turn to see
That you’ve pursued me
To lift me up from my fall
To carry me to your all
Not in spite of my sin
But that you have sent Him
I feel your loving embrace
Your amazing grace!

I’ve been running at home for so long
Working as hard as I could to seem strong
Proving my life was not vain as I smiled for show
Obeying the rules I let my bitterness grow
Not wanting my Dad only wanting his things
My inheritance owed my kingdom to cling

How can I ever break free of my pride
So polished but rotting inside
I see grace all around but it kindles my hate
It’s not fair I explode as He patiently waits
I love you my son not for work in the field
I’ve given you all a free gift unsealed

At the end of the day
When I’ve been running away
I turn to see
That you’ve pursued me
To lift me up from my fall
To carry me to your all
Not in spite of my sin
But that you have sent Him
I feel your loving embrace
Your amazing grace!

My sons I’ll bring you home to my side
Though the ransom cost me my life
High heights nor deep depths can sunder my love
Though you constantly run I am always enough
Do not be afraid Daddy’s here to provide
With great joy for my boys I’ll always abide