Coming to Our Senses

I have recently returned from the Baak Centre, Ellel’s ministry base in the Netherlands, where I have been teaching some sessions on their summer school. During a break, I wandered along the road to a canal and stood watching a family of coots, small water birds, for a while. There were five very small chicks and their two parents swimming together in and out of the reeds at the side of the water. Then the parents and four of the chicks began swimming away, but one of the chicks was left behind. It climbed on to what might have been the nest near the bank and sat there all alone. It began cheeping, and I was quite concerned as the rest of the family were going further and further away, and the chick appeared to be getting anxious. After what seemed a long time, it decided to get off the nest and head down the canal to join the others. As it made its way, one of the parents suddenly saw it and came rushing towards it and shepherded it back towards the others.

It reminded me of the story of the Prodigal Son. There was the independent son, setting off all by himself, gradually making a real mess of his life. It wasn’t until he was at his lowest ebb, looking after the pigs and longing to eat their food because he was so hungry, that he finally came to his senses and returned to his father. He had to make the move, showing his willingness to go back to his father, even though he wasn’t sure of the reception he might get, but his father came running towards him with outstretched arms.

So often we set off, independently of God, believing that we can manage on our own, but eventually we find ourselves in a mess. Then we sometimes expect God to come and find us and put everything right for us. We occasionally have people who come on healing retreats expecting God to meet them, sort out their problems and enable them to go back to whatever lifestyle they were living before. If we really want to be healed we may need to be prepared to make changes in our lives. What has been thrilling is to hear the testimonies of people who have been doing Ellel 365, the on-line daily Training Programme. They have been transformed by applying the teaching to their lives and dealing with such blockages as unforgiveness and sinful habits – in other words, ‘coming to their senses’ reaching out to their loving heavenly Father, who is more than willing to meet them half-way.

Prayer: Father God, You’re amazing! I so often make mistakes because I try to do things in my own strength and I end up in a mess, but You, Lord, are there waiting for me to turn to You, and You sort me out and put me back on my feet again. I’m so very grateful, Father, Amen.