The call

 A herald is on the mountain calling. Return to the Lord! The sound of this message may make you uneasy. I know you stumbled, fell in the bottomless sea of the world and abandoned the bride of Christ. Like many, who call themselves "former Christian" you became. Your name faded from the corridor and the lips of the pews. Instead, you ignored their concerns and attempts to rescue you, found a fair broad route to sail. A free thinker, being yourself. Saved from restraints of religion and the white man’s ethics. A few likes and clicks on your social media. Few words of encouragement from the folks gave you a thrust.

"Don't blame the gardener but the seed."

 

The Lie

Like gravity, you may choose to assume it's reality. But it keeps you grounded, it's there, was  there and will  always be there. From child birth, you were born a sinner and in Sin you were born. Sin will always be there in your heart. Your sinful heart and mind taught you otherwise. Like a dog going back to its vomit. Stumbled back to hating God. Took the bait from friends with false identity lured into their lies.

 

"If it were not for the woman you gave me, I wouldn't have taken the fruit."

In the dungeon you fell, slipped like sand in the hand. Though read scriptures with you, eyes of an eagle, you had exegetical sight. A pilgrim you became, following the course of this world. Leaving your life in the hands of chance and Karma. Defected, fell from the faith. Fell among thorns (Matthew 13:22). Good fences make good neighbors. Your heart was unguarded, being tossed here and there by worries of this world.

 

The Blame

Like Adam  to Eve, Eve to the snake. But deep-down, Adam  blamed God. "If it were not for the woman, you gave me, I wouldn't have taken the fruit". Adam thought before he could respond. It is your fault God. The blame doesn’t befall the gardener. As many would argue. His impaired method, technique or level of education. The seed is the issue (Matthew 13:18-32).

Hope 

The Father Who Runs

Remember the son in Jesus’ parable who took his inheritance and wasted it in a far country (Luke 15:11–24). He rehearsed a speech on the way home: “Treat me as one of your hired servants.” He never finished it. “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” In that culture, old men did not run. This one did.

That is the God you left. He is not waiting at the gate with a list of your sins. He is running down the road.

What Returning Looks Like

You do not have to fix yourself first. You cannot. “Seek the LORD while he may be found… let the wicked forsake his way… and let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him” (Isaiah 55:6–7). Returning means turning: confessing your sin honestly, and trusting Christ alone to forgive it. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Then come back to God’s people. Find a Bible-preaching church. Tell a pastor or an old friend, “I want to come home.” It will feel awkward. Do it anyway.

A Word to the Church

When a wanderer comes back, don’t greet them with “I told you so.” “If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1). The older brother in the parable stood outside the feast, angry. Don’t be him. Have mercy on those who doubt (Jude 22).

A Prayer

Lord, I have wandered. I believed lies about You and about myself. I am not worthy to be called Your child. But You sent Your Son for sinners like me. Wash me, take my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh, and bring me home. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The gospel stands as an invite to all. Return to the Lord!