We find it easy to walk in religious devotion to God. Religion is predictable. We do the right things, avoid the wrong things, take part in the required activities, say the right words, sing the right songs, read the right books, perform the right rituals, and then we expect God to reward us in return. We like the idea of earning our way into the party.

It feels safer to stay outside of the party and work for the Father than to go inside. Because inside it is all about Him. I have to depend on His mercy. To enter into that party, I have to leave myself at the door: MY desire to control, MY trust in my own goodness, MY lust for recognition and credit.

It is possible to be in the Father’s house, with the Father’s people, doing the Father’s things, and in the process completely missing the joy of the Father’s presence. And if you miss that, you miss everything…even if you can recite Bible verses backwards and forwards….even if you can sing with the voice of an angel…even if you have a Phd. in theology…even if you give your life to take care of orphans…

The father in Luke 15 wasn’t calling the older son to perform…He was just calling him to “come.”

The party is not about rewarding faithful sons and daughters for the great things they do for the Father. The party is a celebration of the Father’s love. It’s an invitation to experience fullness of joy…HIS joy. It’s not a result of anything we have earned. It’s because of who He is.