Waiting, Longing and Loving

Several months ago we adopted a 7-year old American bulldog named Hogan. Hogan has the blood pressure of an anvil, which is one of the things that really attracted us to him. He has puppy flashback moments, but for the most part he’s just chilled out. Food and a trip to the yard are among the few things that excite him. Except when we come home.

When we come home Hogan can be found waiting just inside the door. He’s smart too. He knows the sounds of our cars and the garage door so he knows whether it’s family or not. When it’s family you can open the door and he’s got his head lowered like a bull, does a little dance and then extends a paw to you as if to shake, or invite you to dance with him. He just drinks you in with unconditional love and a welcome that says, “I don’t care what you just left, or what kind of day you’re having I’m thrilled your home and I love you very much, now how about some food?”

Most of the time you can feel the entry mat just inside the door and it’s very warm. Hogan actually lays at the spot closest to where we’ve been before leaving. He wants to be near. I know it’s true because my wife says he does this whenever I leave. Oh yeah, sometimes he sits at the back door and cries for us.

Recently I read the three “lost” parables that Jesus told in Luke 15 about the lost sheep, lost coin and the lost son. In each case the owner lost something of great value and searched for it, or in the case of the father losing the son, longed for him. Did you know God feels this way about us? He searches, waits and longs for us. He desires our presence, worship and affection. We are His delight.

Sometimes I leave the house and my thoughts aren’t about God. I have things to do, people to see, meetings, phone calls and many things on my mind. I walk out the door heading into a tough world and leave Jesus at the door, much like I do our dog, Hogan. More often than not, we do this mentally, spiritually or emotionally. We don’t intend to leave Jesus, but we become so immersed in our “stuff” that we begin to exclude Him. And the more we do it, the farther away we get from Him. And He waits. He waits for my return and yours. He longs to be with us. He longs to go with us. He longs for us.

No matter how far we’ve drifted or wandered He delights in our return. When we return more than a wagging tail, bowed head, or extended paw greets us. God’s delight in the return of His children is pure celebration. The imagery Jesus uses to describe it is party language in Luke 15:

20And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.

Hogan’s daily greetings are wonderful, but they don’t even come close to the way God greets us when we return to Him. Has the distance grown farther between you and God? No matter how far you’ve drifted, or how long it’s been, He’s waiting and longing to lavish His love on you. Open your heart to His love.