I Found Love: Raw Stories of Real People Finding LoveSample

As Paralympic swimmer Jessica Long looks back through the story of her life now, she can finally see the plan that God had all along. She didn’t lose a family when she was adopted; she gained a new one.

But Jessica has also found a home in the family of God. Entrance wasn’t gained by winning gold, behaving in church, or racking up enough good deeds. God chose her before the foundation of the world. He chose her because he loves her.

Jesus once told a story describing the family of God. It began with a son who left home and took with him much of his father’s riches. He wasted it all on wild living and parties, until finally the money ran out. The son had squandered everything. He became destitute, struggling to find food enough to eat. He even lent himself out to work at a nearby pig farm, where he stole meals out of the pig slop.

In that low moment, the son thought back to the father he had left. He didn’t think he could return home, not as a son anyway. But as he reflected on his situation, he realized that his father’s servants were at least well fed. If he could not return home as a son, perhaps he could return as a servant.

He traveled back home, convinced his father could never want him as a son. He didn’t deserve that. He had let his father down. But then his father spotted the shame-faced young man walking back home. Filled with joy, the father ran, threw his arms around him, and said, “My son.”

God is this type of Father. He has a plan for your life, just as the father in Jesus’ story had plans for his son. But when the son abandoned his father’s plans and squandered everything, the father never ceased to love him. He still considered him his son.

If you are still trying to earn your way into God’s arms, consider the story Jesus tells. No matter how hard you try, you won’t earn your way into God’s affections. You can’t—because he already loves you and has already invited you to join. He loved you long before you were born. He has loved you in the midst of every mistake, error, and sin. He has loved you, does love you, and will love you.

You just have to accept it.