Reconciliation

Have you ever been estranged from someone close to you?  Perhaps you have felt lonely once or twice?  I remember the story about a man named Pedro from Mexico City.  As a young teenager, Pedro ran away from home to live on the streets alone.  Years past and his parents gave up searching-almost!  Then, the parents decided to run a simple ad in the local newspaper.  It read, "Pedro, we love you.  All is forgiven.  Meet me at the city square tomorrow morning.  The next day hundreds of Pedros made their way to the city square to be reconciled with their Father.

Reconciliation is defined in Webster's dictionary as "a restoration of friendly relations."  It's something for which we all long.  We long to be re-united with loved ones.  We long to bring an end to hostilities and walk in peace with those we love. But . . . oftentimes, pride, hurt, and life gets in the way of our longing to be reconciled.  So we just keep on living with that aching in our soul that produces a deep loneliness.

The message of Jesus was very much about reconciliation as the cure for the common human longing to be restored to fellowship with God and each other.  In Christ, you can be reconciled to God.  In christ, your relationships can rise above bickering and brokenness.  I'm praying for the spirit of reconciliation to fill your heart, your life, and your relationships this week.

Join us Sunday at the ARC (10:15 AM) as we consider Jesus' teaching on reconciliation and the power of forgiveness.  Pastor Tom