R: Ran

"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 verse comes from the story of the Prodigal Son. After winding up in the pigpen, he “comes to his senses” and realizes that the servants back home had it way better than him. He figures out he has nothing to lose, so he heads home. All the way there he practices his speech. We’ve all done it, sometimes in the bathroom mirror, but we go over and over those words that are so hard to imagine saying. The coolest thing in the PS’s story is that he never gets to give the whole speech.

I have always loved this story, but it wasn’t until recently that I was captured by the father’s actions. He never gave up hope. He might have been related to the Motel 6 guy, because he always left the light on! But it was his actions when PS was finally coming home that most grab my heart. By all rights he could have stood at the gate with his arms crossed, tapping his toe, and waiting for PS to come groveling up the walk. But he didn’t! He ran across town and met PS there.

I think there are some specific reasons that Father went out to meet his son. If you’ve grown up in or around the church then you know how tongues can wag and how fast juicy gossip spreads. Father wasn’t going to let his son walk across town, facing down the verbal onslaught alone. They were all going to know just how proud he was of his son for coming home, for making the tough choice to swallow his pride, and besides, that way he could invite them to the party.

Can you see PS’s face? He’s been rehearsing his line all the way, giving emphasis to the different words. He’s tired, sweaty, and unsure of what’s going to happen when he gets home, but before he can get his words out, here comes Father. Oh no! Was he so angry that he couldn’t even wait for him to get home? What would he do now? Should he just turn and run? He had no time to think because before he knows it Father’s arms around his neck in warmest embrace!

A party is called for and immediately planned. Then, begins the arduous task of walking through town. PS can hardly believe the way Father has his arm around him. He had literally wished his father dead to get his share of the estate. Then he wastes it. He has nothing to show. Nothing to hold onto…except Father. At each house, all along the way, Father is proudly announcing PS’s return and inviting everyone to the party. Their tongues might wag, but they were going to know that Father was overjoyed at his son’s return.

There’s a gospel song that says:
the only time I ever saw Him run…
Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise when God ran .

Watch this and know this: Father loves you and runs to you, too! Let the party begin!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1O4eS9jxfM