Episode 41 - the story behind the song "Reunion"

This podcast explores the meaning and heart behind the song, "Reunion" from my 2009 CD "Proof in the Mirror"  This episode tells the story of the prodigal son from Luke 15.  It contains a short devotional exploring the cultural background of the story and why it's so powerful that the father runs to his son to welcome him home.  This passage & art like Rembrandt's masterpiece oil painting has inspired me to tell the story from the father's perspective.  This song is sung from God's perspective.  He represents the forgiving father in the story and we are to find ourselves identifying with the wayward son who is welcomed back into his father's house.   Favorite lyric in this song:  "the smell of burning bridges might discourage your returning" Luke 15:11–24 (NIV) The Parable of the Lost Son 11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “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. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. “Reunion” Verse 1: All you ever wanted was a friend to spend some time with You never thought that this place would be where your journey ends You have run so far from all the things that you believed in The road less travelled calls to you, no matter where you’ve been And once again… I’m calling out your name Chorus: I will run to you, when you come back, no questions asked, You will run into, into these arms of love My father’s heart is crying out, for you to come back, and hear me shout, I will run to you, when you come back home again Verse 2: The days turned into years, that I have longed for your returning I will always love you, that will never change So many sleepless nights that I have dreamed of our reunion I am watching the horizon, I am waiting for my friend And once again…  I’m calling out your name In the Sunset, it’s your silhouette that’s walking back to me Bridge: You’re so far away from home, feeling lost and on your own It seems all hope is lost for you, but I will see you through The smell of burning bridges might discourage your returning But I have built them back for you, and I have paved the way