Give me Jesus

It's an old African American spiritual.  Give me Jesus. You can have all the rest, give me Jesus.

You'll never ask for Jesus unless you have some need for forgiveness and grace in your life.

You'll never ask for Jesus if you are convinced that, by your own effort, all good things will come to you.

You'll never ask for Jesus if you stand so deeply in the darkness that you cannot breathe.

Those who truly know the power of a living God of forgiveness and grace in your life, who have walked in the darkness and now see light, who are thankful that someone else is in charge of the big picture of life.....we are called to carry the truth of Jesus to those who do not know.  When our neighbor asks for Jesus, we are to show up and walk with them.

Love God.  Love your neighbor.  That's our calling.

It's about the money

He ran away from home and took his share of the family fortune.  Perhaps there was a scene where he said, "I want what is mine, and I want it today" to the shock of all who heard.

This younger son made several miscalculations regarding the family fortune.  First, without a family no amount of money would be enough.  Second, strangers were much less likely to be helpful in an emergency than he expected.  Third, emergencies always happen.

And fourth, the largest miscalculation of all: the real family treasure was the Father whom he rejected.  How blessed he was that when he huffed and puffed and tore out of the house to find his future, his Father remained rooted.  One day the Father would be there to welcome the wayward one home again.

So your Father in heaven waits for you.