Time of Preparation
Begin by taking inventory of your surroundings. Are things in your vicinity conducive to a time of personal worship? Are there any changes or adjustments (turning off tech, making yourself comfortable) you need to make before you begin?
When you are ready, take some time to sit in silence and prepare your heart for worship. Ask God to clear away any distractions that might keep you from being truly present in this moment.
Assurance
In this third movement, we receive the good news of the gospel: we are forgiven.
“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 (NIV)
One of my favourite paintings is Rembrandt’s “Return of the Prodigal Son.” Take a moment or two to sit with this powerful depiction of the climactic moment of Jesus’ parable.
If there is a stronger image we can sit with to meditate on the love of God, I’m hard pressed to think of one. This is an image of welcoming grace, of complete forgiveness, and deep mercy.
One of the most popular worship songs in recent years has attempted to capture this radical love by calling it “reckless.” That’s caused a lot of controversy in churches, because it’s a word we often link to being irresponsible and foolish. But when I hear this song I’m reminded of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians:
“For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.”
—1 Corinthians 1:25 (NRSVUE)
God’s love is “reckless” in terms of our human understanding. It continues to pursue us despite our rebellion and our constant refusal to dwell in it. And yet…it is not irresponsible. It is not careless or ill-advised. In the eyes of the world it seems foolish because at its very core it makes no sense: why does God forgive us? Why does he show us mercy? What kind of God would do that? What kind of love does that demonstrate?
Love that makes no sense to us. But makes perfect sense to the One who is love.
SONG OF ASSURANCE: Reckless Love (lyrics here)