Someone left the backyard gate open. My dog was set free in his glory to tear around the neighbourhood at full speed. Bunnies. Squirrels. Birds. Oh my. He’s an obedient pup, yet his ears turn off on occasion when presented with a squirrel. My daughter and I learned a lesson. When we chase after him, he runs farther. We changed our plan of attack. Don’t chase him, instead turn around and go home. Guess who started to follow us? Exhausted from his run, we got him on a leash. I told him not to run away, and then gave him a good boy for returning, to let him know he is returning to his loving keepers even though his actions were not desirable.
There are ways we open ourselves to encounter God. God meets us in scripture and sacrament; through the water, Word and bread we receive God. But it’s not all up to us. God seeks us out and shows us new ways to be in relationship, revealing new life to us that we might not have discovered on our own. Christ journeys with us, in, with and under all, and like the prodigal father, welcomes us back.
Guiding God, you set before us your way. Thank you for teaching us to live, move and have our being in you. Amen. —