The Return (Luke 15 v 11 - 32)
by Paul Purdayhttps://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PaulPurdayPaintings?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
Show us the story filling our lives
Show us the way that sin soon deprives
Bring us to see our hesitancy
That which we thought would render us free
Was but a means to meander our way
Into a foreign country to stray.
Like the lost son we ask what is due
'Coins' that are owed, many or few
Into that land we waste what we have
Nothing is left and nothing to save
Feeding the 'pigs' our final resort
Found we are 'wanting' more than we thought.
Grievous famines would cover the land
Nothing we had, for nothing was planned
Not even 'pig's-feed' entered our hold
No one would offer us silver or gold
Finally knowing the One we had left
Learning our loss and sadly bereft.
'Let us return, we are lonely and sad
Even His poor had more than we had
Telling our Father that we have sinned'
Our shamefacedness sifting the wind
Returning, this road was stony and hard
Stumbling with fear, pallid and scarred.
Miles from our home, watching, He saw
God's lowly Grace filled us with awe
Wrapped in His arms and soaked in His tears
His massive embrace calming our fears
Unworthiness still, shaming our face
But knowing His beauty, knowing His Grace.
Religion has caused its people to show
With soothing words, a sanctimonious flow
Sceptical hearts that are scathing and cold
Blindness to see His Graces unfold
Filled with their jealousy driven to scorn
Seeing those Graces, God's people adorn.
Singing and dancing now has begun
Brighter His light as a dazzling sun
Greater by far than any scene on the earth
No one can estimate fully His worth
This, only this , is God's perfect way
Showing His love, an eternal display.
