“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. ” (Isaiah 53:6, NIV)

What is that thing in each of us that causes us to go astray? We know what we ought to do. We know what we are about to do is wrong, but we do it anyway. Ouch! What a character flaw — to know what is good for us and what is bad for us and to choose the bad anyway. It doesn’t make any sense! We are like rogue sheep. We know it would be better to follow the shepherd. We know it is safer to stay with the flock. But we wander anyway. We wander away from the guidance and security of home and find ourselves alone, lost, and wounded by the world we wandered in. Notice what Isaiah says in this verse, “each of us has turned to his own way.” This is the key! Sin in us causes us to do what we want to do even if we know deep down it is not for our own good. Sin causes us to live a lie. We choose to follow our will instead of the will of the Shepherd.

So, now what do we do? Like the Prodigal son we find ourselves alone, lost, and wounded. Well, he began to remember what it was really like to live in his father’s household. He remembered the love, the guidance, the security that living there provided. This moved the son to repent (to turn back to the truth) and go home. He stopped living the lie and returned home. To his amazement, before he even got to the house, he was greeted by his father running to him while he was still a distance away. His father had been waiting, longing, and looking for his son to return. When he saw his son in the distance, he couldn’t help but run to him and welcome him home.

Do you find yourself far away from home today? Do you find yourself taking the first fatal steps to leave your Father’s home? Stop! Turn back to the truth. Don’t live the lie that following your will will get you what you want or need. See your Heavenly Father running to meet you and welcoming you home.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church