He is the Father and i am His son

man.. i can't explain how thankful i am to be able to write on this platform. a little back story, i’m a sophomore in college, young, dumb, and broke. i’m starting off my week with a solid workout on a monday morning. i’m starting my cool down on the assault bike and just randomly scrolling on insta, but then i somehow find ‘n0tbychance’ so i start reading, and i just remember thinking to myself “man, i can only imagine the peace it brings to be able to just sit and write about what God has on your heart.” 

from then on, i would make sure that i plan to be able to sit and read that week's blog. i loved it, in fact i loved it so much that one day my fiancé (girlfriend at the time) and i went to a local coffee shop and i decided to just sit and write what God was putting on my heart.  

God speaks, and He spoke the joy for writing into my heart that day. i’m so thankful for that, so thankful. it has truly changed my life for the better; however this change was not easy. not at all, but it was necessary. 'writing is a reflection of the heart.' i don't know who’s quote that is, but it is so true. when i started writing i started truthfully seeing my heart, but uncovering the truth of our own heart's is not a comfortable task. i started to see the things in my life that broke God’s heart, but even in the depths of the sorrow from my past sin, and throughout the doubtful thoughts that even a broken sinner like me could write to glorify God - i experienced His love more than ever. i believe wholeheartedly that it’s no mistake that when i decided to stop running and stop living as a ‘lukewarm’ christian, is when i found my Heavenly Father running with His arms open wide ready to overflow my cup with His love.

However, God did not start loving me when i decided to retune home, He had been pursuing me all along. all i had to do was lift my head and receive His love. His love is abundant, it overflows out of our lives into others, His love brings us peace when we are in the shadow of death, and His love makes us rest by still waters while in beautiful green pastures. 

this kind of love is for all of us, all we have to do is stop running. the offer is there, when we run away from our sin, we also run from the richness of healing. and take it from me, i’ve done that for years, i can still catch myself doing it, but knowing i have the option to run into my Father’s loving arms in times of hardship is a peace i’ll never be able to explain. 

one of my favorite stories ever is a story out of the bible found in Luke 15:11-32. if you know the story hang with me, but if you don’t please let me share it with you.. before we dive into anything i just want you to keep this in mind... Jesus is the Father and we are His son. 

so it all starts out with a very wealthy dad who has two sons, and the youngest son asks his father for all of his inheritance. the father is so loving as he gives him all he earns. the son then goes out into another town with this inheritance and 'wasted his possessions with prodigal living.' the son finally realizes that he’s hit rock bottom, this life he wanted was not fulfilling. he decides to run back to his father and asks to be forgiven and begs. 'father, i have sinned against heaven, and before you, and i am no longer worthy to be called your son.' only if i could tell you how many days i have woken up and had the thought - 'i am no longer worthy.' an anthem i have repeatedly told myself, but wow, how much of a lie is that? look at what his father does, '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' this father had been filled with excitement at the return of his son and rightfully so! 'for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' the return of his son had cause for celebration! the father had brought out all the stops for his returned son, 'bring the best robe and put it on him, put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet, bring the fattened calf and kill it. let's have a feast and celebrate.'

remember,  Jesus is the Father and we are His son.

the hero of the story is not the wayward son, but the loving father. the same with us, our stories are in no way gratifying of ourselves but of God's abundant love and grace. while the son went off wasting everything that he was given by his father, the father stood watching and waiting for his son to return, with arms wide open in a full sprint. this is what our heavenly Father does for us, He doesn’t just give us a minimum, he fills us up with abundance. but why? we’ve done so much wrong. it’s done out of love. love for His wonderfully, flawlessly made, humble creation. it’s the reason we smile, it’s the reason we sing, it’s the reason we dance, it’s the reason we long when times are hard, it’s the reason we are invited back after being the prodigal son - it’s all because He loves us abundantly. His love is perfect, fulfilling, and full of peace.

God smiles when He sees you - because He loves you. 

-n0tbycayden