But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Luke 15:32 (NIV)
This verse became realistic in my past life. The moment I read this scripture I could recollect my past life.
The last 2 years of my life was tough. Every day I woke up with a heavy heart, and I don’t clearly remember the last time I was happy. I was emotionally drained and was trying to distance myself from everyone who loved me. I was depressed and miserably broken inside. There were times when I pretend to be happy for the sake of my loved ones. However, I wasn’t able to hold the overwhelming grief. I remember days I’ve wept lying on the floor helpless and desperate. What more should I say? Like the scripture above says, I was dead; I was dead inside.
Yet, the love of the Father that left the 99 has chased down my heart. (Matthew 18:12). Just as a shepherd is concerned enough about one lost sheep to go search the hills for it, so is God concerned about every human being he has created.
The arms of the Father were wide open for me to rush into. (Luke 15:20) In this parable, The Father forgives his son when he repents and comes back. In the same way, if we repent for our sins, He will forgive us and welcome us back. The main message of the prodigal son is that it doesn’t matter how far we stray from our Heavenly Father or how much we wasted the talents He provides, He is always delighted when we come back to Him. His unconditional love is waiting for us to return home where He greets us with open arms. It is easier to confess to God than to man. God is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and merciful. The robe stands for honor, ring for authority, shoes were the sign of freedom, and the feast was made to rejoice at the wanderer’s return.
God told me the reasons for the pain that He led me through. ’The Lord has called me to pour oil and wine into the wounds of people and bind their broken hearts.’ (Luke 10:34) (Psalm 147:3) Jesus heals the hurt people all by his blood, stripes, wounds by pouring in oil and wine, as the good Samaritan did. Jesus binds up the broken-hearted, heals wounded sinners and restores comfort to mourners; This is done by pouring oil and wine.
Oil represents the grace of the Spirit of God; The comparison is for its sweet smell, its cheering and refreshing virtue and efficacy, and its cooling and healing nature. “Wine”, the doctrines of the Gospel; such as free justification by Christ’s righteousness, and pardon through His blood.
God led me through so much pain so that I could relate to hurt people and understand them much better.
I could testify how the Lord had snatched me out from the fire.
I can tell them with confidence that the Lord who saved me will save them too.
I’m overjoyed, for the Words God has spoken to me.
“Now, it’s appropriate to celebrate and be glad” for the Lord has turned my mourning into dancing. The days of grief are over for I am found.
Nothing makes me happier than seeing these promises that God has made fulfilled before I walked into 2022.
Sol. Alicia Mathew