Am I Ready to Return?

In Psalm 144:15 I read, “Happy are the people whose God is the LORD.” (CSB)

Over the last few days, I’ve been looking at what people actually lose when they are spiritually lost. Not only do they lose their direction, protection, and potential, but they also lose their happiness.

When I’m in harmony with God, it gives me the peace I need to be in harmony with others, making me a happier person. But when I’m disconnected from God, I’m often disconnected from others, and unhappy.

I can see this happen in the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. It’s about a young man who left his father, taking his inheritance with him and wasting it on careless living. Luke 15:14 says, “He spent everything he had . . . and he was left without a thing” (GNT). His recklessness had left him lonely and miserable.

The truth is, nothing destroys happiness faster than conflict in a relationship. So, when the young man had a conflict with his dad, it created a strained relationship. This led to resentment, guilt, and regret.

This story reminds me of how unhappy I can be when I’m in conflict with the heavenly Father. I wasn’t designed to live disconnected from God. That’s why thumbing my nose at him and going my own way never works.

But the moment I say, “God, I’m tired of living the way I’ve been living,” he runs out to meet me. He takes the initiative. He even celebrates, like the father did with his prodigal son: “Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him . . . We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life” (Luke 15:22-24 NLT).

Remember: God doesn't move; I do. He’s unmovable.

I need to know that God sees me as extremely valuable and wants me to return to him. And when I do, he will be “filled with love and compassion” (Luke 15:20 NLT), like the father with his prodigal child.

Returning to my heavenly Father and being in a right relationship with him is the only way to true joy and happiness!

In summary, happy are the ones whose God is the LORD. I’ve been looking at what people actually lose when they are spiritually lost. Not only do they lose their direction, protection, and potential, but they also lose their happiness. When I’m in harmony with God, it gives me the peace I need to be in harmony with others, making me a happier person. But when I’m disconnected from God, I’m often disconnected from others, and unhappy. I can see this in the story of the prodigal son. A young man who left his father, taking his inheritance and wasting it on careless living. His recklessness had left him lonely and miserable. Nothing destroys happiness faster than conflict in a relationship. So, when the young man had a conflict with his dad, it created a strained relationship. This led to resentment, guilt, and regret. This story reminds me of how unhappy I can be when I’m in conflict with the heavenly Father. So thumbing my nose and going my own way never works. But when I say, “God, I’m tired of living the way I’ve been living,” he runs out to meet me. He takes the initiative. He even celebrates. Remember: God never moves, it is me that moves. I need to know that God sees me as extremely valuable and wants me to return to him. When I do, he will be “filled with love and compassion”. Returning to my heavenly Father and being in a right relationship with him is the only way to true joy and happiness!

Rejoice in God's care. Whether in times of prosperity or adversity, blessed are those whose God is the Lord. Joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord.