I had planned on writing about Back to Church Sunday in September. I kept hearing people say they couldn't possibly go back to church because the roof might fall in on them. I didn't write it in a timely manner and thought I would just drop it because it wasn't as relevant due to the time lapse.
Yet here I am writing about it now. This sentiment of feeling so far gone--the idea that you are so far from God that you can't come back or that He wouldn't want you--seems to be all around. I've heard it from people I know, acquaintances, and even saw facebook posts from people I'd never talked to before.
My initial thought was, even if you did something so terrible that God didn't want you back, why would the roof fall in on good people just because of one bad person? Afterall, even regarding Sodom and Gomorrah, the Lord compromised with Abraham. Genesis 18:32 says, "He answered, 'For the sake of ten [righteous people], I will not destroy it.'"
God provides opportunities to people to turn away from the bad and draw close to Him once again. The city of Ninevah seemed like it would face a fate similar to Sodom and Gomorrah. Jonah finally accepted his call and warned the people to repent or face God's wrath. Jonah 3:10 says, "When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened."
God doesn't simply refrain from punishment; He demonstrates His concern for His people. God's concern is illustrated by comparing it to Jonah's affection for a plant that brings him comfort: "But the Lord said, 'You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Ninevah, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right and from their left--and also many animals?'"
God's concern, caring, and compassion for His people are repeated throughout the Bible.
At the Women of Faith conference in Pittsburgh, Sheila Walsh reminded me of another story that exemplifies how much God wants us back.
Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of
them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds
it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends
and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the
same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine
righteous persons who do not need to repent." Luke 15:3-7
Sheila spoke of a loving, caring shepherd that sought out the lost sheep. A shepherd that was consumed with joy over the sheep's return. She said, "You can't do anything to make Him love you. And there's nothing you can do to make him stop loving you."
This put into perspective once again that it is not what we do, but what Christ did. This is the pivotal event. Such things as pride, ego, guilt, shame make us lose sight of this.
Christ died for our sins. God welcomes us back and provides us opportunities to draw near to Him. We only have to be found, to say, "Lord, here I am."
~Hollie
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