"But when he came to his senses he said, 'How many of my father's hired workers have food enough to spare, but here I am dying from hunger! I will get up and go to my father and say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you" (Luke 15:17-18 NET)
In Luke chapter 5, Jesus tells a story. It begins with the son requesting his share of the inheritance from his father while that one was still alive (which in the Jewish culture of that time was equivalent to wishing for his death). Despite such a senseless request, the father graciously grants it. Having received what he desired, the son departs into a faraway country to begin a new life, but soon he squanders all his inheritance on drinking and partying. Bankrupt and alone, he is forced to become a farmhand entrusted with tending pigs. It is there, sitting in the mud with the herd of pigs, he realizes something profound. About himself, about his father. The son comes to his senses, returning home and falling into the arms of a loving father.
Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? Are you financially, physically, emotionally or spiritually bankrupt? Have you ignored God's wisdom and guidance, and instead relied on your own understanding of the matter? You have trusted your own knowledge of what is the best solution to the problem. Have you claimed your inheritance prematurely, wishing for your Father's death? Have you ever lost your senses?
In the Bible, coming to one's senses is repentance. And repentance is the process whereby you begin to see, feel and understand something you couldn't prior to the moment of realization. Repentance is about coming to terms with yourself, admitting your wrongdoing, owning your mistakes. It is also about coming to terms with God against whom you have sinned. Repentance—coming to one's senses—is seeing, perhaps for the first time, how much your Father loves you! Repentance is about returning home.
Jesus, is there an area in my life where I need to "come to my senses"?
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Evangel Downtown