I recently picked up a book I haven’t read since I was in college.  It’s a classic study in Old Testament theology, written by G. Ernest Wright, entitled God Who Acts.  In opening this old book, I noticed something that I passed right by when I first encountered it.  This time I noticed the dedication page, which reads:

To

MY FATHER

from whom I have received a dissatisfaction

with every present; and

to

MY MOTHER

in whom was the patience and

self-effacement of her Lord

G. Ernest Wright, son of a dissatisfied father, earned his advanced degrees at McCormick Seminary and Johns Hopkins University. He was professor of Old Testament History and Theology at Harvard University.  The book in which this dedication appears is still required reading in the field 70 years later.

I don’t know to what extent G. Ernest Wright’s ambitious professional attainments were an attempt to earn his father’s withheld approval, but I know that sometimes we feel like we can’t come to God until we have some achievement in hand.  We imagine that before we can truly be welcomed by God, we first must clean up our act, make something of our life, get our relationships in order.

But the God who was revealed in Christ is not like Dr. Wright’s dissatisfied parent (or yours).  Jesus revealed a Father who runs to embrace the ruined son who had brought nothing but dishonor to the family name.

Prayer:   I’ve got nothing to show off: no varsity letter, no straight-A report card.  I know I can’t impress you, but I yearn to hear you say once more that I don’t need to.  Amen.