Hi Bears! Last week was another rocking Wyldlife club. Unlike August, this month and next month we are teaming up with other school such as Sutton, Westminster, Lovett, Pace, and Whitefield for what we call All-Area Wyldlife!
A lot of folks...
+ a small barn...
= huge fun!
even the Goat was impressed
It was great to see so many HIES faces out and the chance they had to see fiends from other schools and to make new ones. Our high school volunteers were also a great addition.
Our mid-town area director, Genaro "G" Lawhorn shared with us tonight from the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15.
He shared his own personal story from high school when a relative gave lent money for road trip. Not being wise, he spent it all and didn't have enough to pay for gas to get back home! He sheepishly called the relative and feared having to face him. Instead of being mad, the relative was glad he was all right and that G was able to make it home.
This is not unlike the story of the Prodigal son. The son asked for his father's inheritance while the father was still living. Bold move! The father granted the request and the son took off to the city, spending his money like someone his age without concern for anyone but himself would. Problem is, money runs out.
He found himself so desperate for food he took a job as a farmhand and actually ate the pig's food! Finally he "came to his senses" and decided to return to his father, the whole way rehearsing how he would explain himself.
to his surprise, the father not only welcomed him back but was out looking for him and ran to meet him before the son even got home. More, the father threw a huge party for his lost son who was now found.
The message is simple but tough for us to come to grips on. The idea that many of us have of God is that he is taking score of all our rights and wrongs. We need to make up for these and explain ourselves before getting right with him. This story, however, turns this idea on its head. Truth is, God is out looking for us, ready to welcome us home, regardless of how "bad" we think we have been. True, we live with the consequences of our past decisions, but God not only puts no conditions on our returning, he welcomes us with open arms, ready to party!
I love this a great message for all of us and particularly for students who live in such high pressure, performance based environments. It would only be natural to assume God requires the same performance. Instead he offers his grace.
Thanks for this message G!
And thanks to y'all for checking out Wyldlife!
Until next time,
Dave McCune
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