Skip to Content Skip to Footer
Goshen College
  • Give
  • Get Info
  • Visit
  • Apply
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Majors & Minors
    • Academic Catalog & Courses
    • Goshen Core
    • Global Education
    • Adult & Continuing Studies
    • Nursing (RN to BSN)
    • Business Management (BS)
    • Communication (BS)
    • Social Work (BS)
    • Transition to Interpreting
    • Transition to Teaching
    • English Learners License
    • Academic Catalog & Courses
    • Graduate Programs
    • Business Administration (MBA)
    • Environmental Education (MA)
    • Nursing (MS, FNP Track)
    • Master of Social Work (MSW)
    • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
    • Academic Catalog & Courses
    • Online Programs
    • Nursing (RN to BSN)
    • Business Management (BS)
    • Business Administration (MBA)
    • Master of Social Work (MSW)
    • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
    • English Learners License
    • Transition to Teaching
    • Transition to Interpreting
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Costs & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships
    • Net Price Calculator
    • International Students
    • Transfer Students
    • Admitted Students
    • Committed Students
    • Adult & Continuing Studies
    • Financial Aid
    • Graduate Programs
    • Financial Aid
    • Student Life
    • Health & Safety
    • Housing
    • Dining Services
    • Clubs & Activities
    • Spiritual Life
    • Bookstore
    • About GC
    • Quick Facts
    • Offices
    • Outcomes
    • Employment
    • Who We Are
    • Mission, Vision & Values
    • Leadership & Governance
    • Faith Identity
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Global Education
    • Sustainability
    • Institutes
    • Where We Are
    • Map & Directions
    • City of Goshen
    • Virtual Tour
    • Alumni
    • Alumni Directory
    • Transcripts
    • The Bulletin
    • Homecoming Weekend
    • Contact Us
    • Parents
    • Parents of Prospective Students
    • Parents of Current Students
    • Current Students
    • Moodle
    • Registrar's Office
    • Library
    • Job Bank
    • Accounting Office
    • Pay Bill
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Offices
    • Human Resources
    • Department Forms
    • Quick Links
    • MyGC
    • GC Online
    • Event Calendar
    • Bookstore
    • News & Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Latest News
    • GC in the News
    • Social Media Directory
    • Alumni Magazine
    • Photo Albums
    • Current Blogs
    • President's
    • Ecuador SST
    • Tanzania SST
    • Quick Links
    • Box Office
    • Music Center
    • E-Subscribe
    • Live Streams
    • Men's
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Soccer
    • Tennis
    • Track and Field
    • Volleyball
    • Women's
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Soccer
    • Softball
    • Tennis
    • Track and Field
    • Volleyball
    • Quick Links
    • GoLeafs.net
    • Live Stream
    • Online Store
    • Rec-Fitness Center
    • Intramurals
  • Map & Directions
  • Bookstore
  • Employment
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • linkedin
Goshen College
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Majors & Minors
    • Academic Catalog & Courses
    • Goshen Core
    • Global Education
    • Adult & Continuing Studies
    • Nursing (RN to BSN)
    • Business Management (BS)
    • Communication (BS)
    • Social Work (BS)
    • Transition to Interpreting
    • Transition to Teaching
    • English Learners License
    • Academic Catalog & Courses
    • Graduate Programs
    • Business Administration (MBA)
    • Environmental Education (MA)
    • Nursing (MS, FNP Track)
    • Master of Social Work (MSW)
    • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
    • Academic Catalog & Courses
    • Online Programs
    • Nursing (RN to BSN)
    • Business Management (BS)
    • Business Administration (MBA)
    • Master of Social Work (MSW)
    • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
    • English Learners License
    • Transition to Teaching
    • Transition to Interpreting
  • Admissions & Aid
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Costs & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships
    • Net Price Calculator
    • International Students
    • Transfer Students
    • Admitted Students
    • Committed Students
    • Adult & Continuing Studies
    • Financial Aid
    • Graduate Programs
    • Financial Aid
  • Student Life
    • Student Life
    • Health & Safety
    • Housing
    • Dining Services
    • Clubs & Activities
    • Spiritual Life
    • Bookstore
  • About
    • About GC
    • Quick Facts
    • Offices
    • Outcomes
    • Employment
    • Who We Are
    • Mission, Vision & Values
    • Leadership & Governance
    • Faith Identity
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Global Education
    • Sustainability
    • Institutes
    • Where We Are
    • Map & Directions
    • City of Goshen
    • Virtual Tour
  • Give
  • Get Info
  • Visit
  • Apply
    • Alumni
    • Alumni Directory
    • Transcripts
    • The Bulletin
    • Homecoming Weekend
    • Contact Us
    • Parents
    • Parents of Prospective Students
    • Parents of Current Students
    • Current Students
    • Moodle
    • Registrar's Office
    • Library
    • Job Bank
    • Accounting Office
    • Pay Bill
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Offices
    • Human Resources
    • Department Forms
    • Quick Links
    • MyGC
    • GC Online
    • Event Calendar
    • Bookstore
    • News & Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Latest News
    • GC in the News
    • Social Media Directory
    • Alumni Magazine
    • Photo Albums
    • Current Blogs
    • President's
    • Ecuador SST
    • Tanzania SST
    • Quick Links
    • Box Office
    • Music Center
    • E-Subscribe
    • Live Streams
    • Men's
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Soccer
    • Tennis
    • Track and Field
    • Volleyball
    • Women's
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Soccer
    • Softball
    • Tennis
    • Track and Field
    • Volleyball
    • Quick Links
    • GoLeafs.net
    • Live Stream
    • Online Store
    • Rec-Fitness Center
    • Intramurals
GC › Devotions Home
Advent & Lenten Devotions  —  2019 Lent  —  Getting what we don’t deserve

Getting what we don’t deserve

March 29, 2019

Share Tweet Email

This devotion originally appeared March 8, 2013

By Brook Hostetter, a 2013 music graduate from Goshen

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3 (NRSV)

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.

When I read in today’s Scripture about how the son was “still a long way off,” I imagine him in rags, perhaps with a small sack of belongings, limping down a path towards his father’s house. The father, working outside, recognizes the familiar stride of his son from a distance, and runs to greet him.

I have been in the son’s position, and I’ve seen friends in the son’s position as well. We stray away and begin to search for fulfillment in the world. After some time, we realize that home was better, so we turn and take a step back toward the Divine. Maybe the step is just a simple prayer, but God sees the desire, and therefore runs, grabs us and embraces us in love and compassion.

I’m comforted in knowing that although we may turn away at times, God waits in expectation of our return. God allows us to remember, and then welcomes us home, even though we don’t deserve it.

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3 (NRSV)

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3So he told them this parable:


Filed Under: 2019 Lent, Lenten Devotions Tagged With: Lent Devotions

Share Tweet Email
« More than tasks
Broken Makes You Beautiful »
  • Devotions Home

Devotion Archives

  • 2022 Lent
  • 2021 Advent
  • 2021 Lent
  • 2020 Advent
  • 2020 Lent
  • 2019 Advent
  • 2019 Lent
  • 2018 Advent
  • 2018 Lent
  • 2017 Advent
  • 2017 Lent
  • 2016 Advent
  • 2016 Lent
  • 2015 Advent
  • 2015 Lent
  • 2014 Advent
  • 2014 Lent
  • 2013 Advent
  • 2013 Lent
  • 2012 Advent
  • 2012 Lent
  • 2011 Advent
  • 2011 Lent
  • 2010 Advent
  • 2010 Lent
  • 2009 Advent
  • 2009 Lent

Recent Comments

  • Devotions editors on God Sees the Secret Servant
  • Adela Hufford on A Treasure in the Midst of Sorrow
  • Wayne on God Sees the Secret Servant
  • Angela Maggard on God Sees the Secret Servant
  • H. Horton on God Sees the Secret Servant
Goshen College

At Goshen, our integrated approach and best-in-class programs educate the head and heart, creating globally-minded graduates who lead with courage and compassion.

  • Map & Directions
  • Bookstore
  • Employment
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • linkedin
1700 S Main St, Goshen, IN 46526
  • Privacy Policy
  • Login
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Website Feedback Form