SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE
Luke 15:20 The abundance of short, simple devotionals can be hard to sort through. Finding time each day to study the Bible can be tough, so we’ve compiled some good Bible verses to reflect on through verse reflections like this from Christian writers. Join us in learning about why the Bible matters and how God can speak to us through it.
How God Feels When We Mess Up
Self doubt and shame creep into our minds after we make a mistake at work, raise our voice at our kids, or when say something hurtful to a loved one (accidental, or not). It’s easy to give into the guilt that mistakes bring, but at the end of the day—we’re all growing.
The great thing about our graceful Father, is that even when we mess up, God is faithful to us and he wants us to come to him.
Check out today’s short devotional where we re-examine a familiar story, but walk away with a fresh perspective on compassion!
Scripture: “So he got up and went to his father. ‘But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him’” (Luke 15:20).
Written by Q. Jackson
Recently while scrolling through my newsfeed, something powerful stopped me in my digital tracks. It was a graphic that read,
Religion: “I messed up. My Dad is going to kill me.”
Gospel: “I messed up. I need to call my Dad.”
In Luke 15, Jesus tells a parable that gives us context for understanding the message behind this graphic.
The son in Jesus’ parable had messed up bad. We’re talking…greedily demand an inheritance, waste it on “wild living,” and crawl back home after it all blows up sort of bad.
In his shame, he hoped his father would be forgiving enough to at least let him work as a hired servant, since he believed his status as son had been tainted by his betrayal. He never could have anticipated the warm welcome he’d actually receive. The story culminates with the father, upon seeing his son still a long way off, setting aside his own dignity in order to run to him. The father was utterly filled with compassion, and threw his arms around his son, welcoming him home.
I love what this parable shows us about our heavenly Father’s posture. He is a Father who runs toward his children, in all our mess. He pursues us, unhindered by all the brokenness, guilt and shame that we carry. And with great enthusiasm, he invites us to wear the identity he has for us—as sons and daughters who he sees as blameless through Christ. What good news!
Why It Matters
God is not surprised by your failings. Instead of letting shame or guilt leave you feeling regretful, frustrated, or unloved, turn to the Father in whose eyes you are already fully loved and fully accepted—believe it to be true!
Do you ever need some good Bible verses to reflect on? We’ve pulled a few of our favorites for our verse reflections that work as short, simple devotions to better connect with God in the everyday moments. See this link to check them out!