heart

"So he got up and went to his father.

But while he was still a long way off,

his father saw him and was filled with

compassion for him; he ran to his son,

threw his arms around him and kissed him."

(Luke 15:20 - The Prodigal Son)

While he was still a long way off...

The father knew the son's heart!

He did not say,

"Here comes that scoundrel...

What does he expect from me? A loan?"

Perhaps we are a long way off

from being what God expects of us.

We are so far down the road

that anyone else might suspect our motives

for calling on the Father

Perhaps we are Christian

for what we can get out of it.

But God can see...

even though the distance is great

...the direction of our steps and

...the purpose of our heart

And if that purpose is a longing

...for a renewed relationship

...or a closer tie

God's heart will go out to us

Even though we are "still a long way off".