Stepping Stones: “I Saved a Seat For You!”

Transformational Thought

I moved around a lot, and was rather shy. Middle of junior year, we moved to NJ. First day, I go to lunch, get through the line, and I’m wondering how embarrassed I will feel if I don’t see any of the several people I met at baseball practice the evening before. Like a miracle, I hear 2 girls I had never met(Debbie and Jill) call out. “Hey Karl, we saved a seat for you.” Wow, that meant so much. They were cute, too. I still remember what they did to this day.

Just think about that warm feeling we get when someone tells us they will save a place for us in line…or at the table. It sends a clear message…they care about us and our well-being. Even more, they are willing to expend energy to show their feelings for us by taking action.

Now think about what God’s Word says to us. Like the prodigal son, we go our own way…follow our desires. We say no to our Father’s plan…push away His protection for our self-destructive follies and pursuits. The father was ready to take his prodigal son home, give him a feast, and honor his return. Our Father will do more….think of the place He is holding for us. Think about His promise to bring us back from captivity. He sacrificed His only son to secure a place at the banquet table for us.

Think about His promise to give us hope and a future. The awesome gift of eternity…in His glorious kingdom. God saved your life and He is saving a place for you at His glorious table. Accept His invitation. It’s free to you and lasts FOREVER!

Today, listen to the amazing invitation God extends to you everyday. It should warm your heart, bring a peace to your emotions, and excite your mind. Just like you feel when someone goes out of their way to give you something grand, you should feel and know that every minute of this day. Let this assurance and gift form the lenses you use, especially when storms strike. It’s your choice how you view His invitation.

Prayer
Father God, I believe that You have thoughts of peace and not of evil for me. I believe You have plans for me and a special future; You have given me hope. I know that when I call upon You and pray to You, You will listen. I know that when I search for You, I find You, for You are always there for me. I know that You, and only You, have the power to bring me out of captivity. I thank You, my Father in heaven, for Your love and Your plans and for saving a place in line for me. I thank You for Jesus, my Savior, for without Him, I am nothing, just lost and alone. I pray this in the name of the one who took my place on the cross so I can have a place at God’s banquet table, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!

The Truth
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity...
Jeremiah 29:11

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.
Luke 15:20-24