FIRST STEPS

When he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.” So he got up and went to his father.- LUKE 15:17-20

Ilooked at the images and realized I felt drawn in a direction that was not good!

Fortunately, I paused and asked myself a question, “If I take this next step where will it lead? If I then take another step beyond, where will that lead?” By the time I asked the “then what” question a few more times, I realized I did not want to take the first step! I did not like the destination this path would certainly take me to.

In the parable of the prodigal son, the son followed his desires and headed in a direction that provided pleasure for a short season. He then had a moment “When he came to his senses”. In that moment, he saw his situation clearly and realized the path he had taken had led him to an undesirable destination. He was a slave feeding pigs and desiring their food! He understood that the father he had dishonored was his only real hope. He took the first step to return to his father. To make this step toward his father, his only hope was in his father’s character. He was met with overwhelming grace and love!

The son’s hope was not just realized but exceeded! His willingness to humble himself and acknowledge his sin led him to take the step to a place of restoration. He truly had a good, good father!

First steps are so significant and many times so very memorable! Two very different first steps led this young man to very different destinations.

Prayer: Father, thank you for being good, gracious and loving! I come to you today to experience your embrace, acceptance and kindness. I know this is not based on my performance but your goodness. Guide my steps; may they lead to your embrace. Thank you, my good, good Father.

For Today: Where are you on the journey? Are you being pulled toward the first step down a path by your desires? Is it time for a pause to consider where this will take you? Have you taken a path that has led to an undesirable place? Is it time to take a step toward your good, good Father?

Joy in the Holy Spirit

Abiding with our Lord brings gifts that money can’t buy.

Romans 14:13-17

In today’s passage, the apostle Paul writes, “[Do not] put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s or sister’s way … For if because of food your brother or sister is hurt, you are no longer walking in accordance with love” (vv. 13, 15). God’s kingdom isn’t about what we eat or drink—or any other “rule” we think we must follow. Rather, it’s about the transformative work of the Holy Spirit within us.

When we align with God’s righteousness, seeking His ways and His will, joy blossoms. The Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Guide, brings it to life within us. He reminds us of God’s love, assures us of our salvation, and empowers us to live in harmony with those around us. This is not some superficial or temporary happiness; it’s the fruit of the Spirit dwelling in us (Galatians 5:22) and transcends our circumstances.

Take a moment to reflect on the joy that comes from knowing God and seeking Him. This profound sense of stability and strength cannot be bought or manufactured—it flows from our connection to the Source of all joy and is a taste of the eternal pleasures that await us in God’s presence (Psalm 16:11).

Mercy for the Blind

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Mark 10:47

Blind Bartimaeus sat in complete blackness. He could hear the crowd, the movement, the jibber-jabber of people speaking. He could hear the hullabaloo that signaled that Jesus of Nazareth was somewhere out there in the darkness, but he was unable to see Him. Recognizing that this might be his only chance to get Jesus’ attention, in desperation he shouted out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The simplicity and clarity of Bartimaeus’ request was a testimony to his faith; it indicated that he actually believed that Jesus was able to do what he was asking. By God’s grace, blind Bartimaeus saw what countless others had missed: he saw that in Jesus he could find God’s mercy. And when Jesus then addressed his need, Bartimaeus and all who observed the encounter understood that his faith was the reason for his cure. But Bartimaeus never made the mistake of thinking that all he really needed was his physical sight. That is why, as soon as he received his sight from Jesus, he “followed him on the way” (Mark 10:52).

In this encounter we see a microcosm of the whole gospel. The Bible often uses blindness as a metaphor for the predicament of men and women. For example, the apostle Paul says, “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 4:4); and Jesus Himself said, “I came into this world, that those who do not see may see” (John 9:39). And earlier in Mark’s Gospel, we read that even though the disciples were following Jesus, they still did not see and understand all that He was teaching them, so He asked, “Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear?” (Mark 8:18).

How, then, are the blind made to see? Just as Bartimaeus was: by going to Jesus and calling out to Him for mercy, asking for the loving forgiveness and new life that only He can provide. You will never know Jesus Christ as a reality in your life until you know Him as a necessity. That is a truth we needed to grasp in order to enjoy the first day of our new life following Him; but it is also a truth we need to remember in order to go on through our lives still following Him. In whatever way you require mercy right now, look at Him with the God-given eyes of faith and simply ask. The good news is that Jesus still hears, Jesus still cares, Jesus still stops, Jesus still listens, and Jesus still saves.