God's Unchanging Love

The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, reveals a consistent picture of God's character, particularly His unwavering love and capacity for forgiveness. However, our human understanding of God's nature has matured over time, deepening and expanding as we encounter new revelations of His grace.

When Jesus came onto the scene, he framed God’s character very differently than the religious leaders of his day. In one of his most well-known stories, the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus offers a profound insight into the nature of God’s forgiveness, demonstrating that it's not a transaction based on obedience but an outpouring of unconditional love.

A Foundation of Law and Love

The Old Testament, particularly the book of Deuteronomy, emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's law. This emphasis on law and covenant might lead some to believe that God's forgiveness is conditional, dependent on human adherence to rules and regulations. However, a closer look reveals that even within the legal framework of the Old Testament, God's love and compassion shine through.

Chapters 29 and 30 of the book of Deuteronomy, while outlining the consequences of disobedience, also highlight God's willingness to forgive and restore those who return to Him. After Chapter 29’s harrowing prediction that Israel would forget God and His Law ending up lost in the territory and hands of their enemies, a promise emerges in Deuteronomy 30: God will bring back scattered Israel. He will bring His beloved people home and circumcise their hearts, enabling them to love Him with all their heart and soul — when they “come to their senses” (30:1) in the depth of their despair.

Jesus uses this phrase in his story of the prodigal son to trigger his law-literate listeners to recall Deuteronomy 30:1-10. Jesus insinuates the Father's love remains constant despite the son's rebellion.

A Revelation of Unconditional Love

In the parable of the prodigal son, found in Luke 15:11-32, Jesus offers a powerful illustration of God's unchanging love and forgiveness. The younger son, who represents those who have strayed from God's path, leaves the Father with half the family’s wealth. He squanders it in wasteful living and ends in the ditch, feeding pigs - the worst ending a Jew could imagine.

And when the son “comes to his senses” in the squalor of a pig pen, he comes home expecting the Father’s wrath. He even prepares a speech. But the Father’s response in Jesus’ story is much the same as it is in Deuteronomy 30. The Father’s love and forgiveness lead to a righteous robe, a family ring and a thump-thump-thumping celebration of life. With the Father, Jesus says, love always wins.

Jesus finishes his Character reveal of Israel’s God by suggesting something readers of God’s law already know: When we return to God, filled with remorse, we experience the depths of God's mercy and love. The Father's joyful welcome and extravagant celebration demonstrate that God's forgiveness is not earned through obedience but freely given to all who turn back to Him.

This parable challenges the notion that God's forgiveness is transactional, contingent on human performance. Instead, it reveals that God's love is unconditional, extending to all who seek Him, regardless of their past mistakes. The prodigal son's experience mirrors the journey of countless individuals who have found forgiveness and restoration in God's loving embrace.

The Older Brother's Struggle with Forgiveness

The parable also introduces the figure of the older brother, who represents those who have remained faithful to God's law — faithful Israel. The older brother's resentment towards his sibling highlights the difficulty of extending forgiveness to those who have wronged us. His anger and refusal to celebrate his brother's return expose the limitations of a legalistic understanding of forgiveness.

The older brother's struggle serves as a reminder that true forgiveness is not an act of obedience but the overflow of a heart transformed by a relationship with the God of love. It is so full of the Father’s love that letting go of resentment and embracing compassion, even for those who have hurt us deeply, is our natural desire. The father's plea to the older brother, "You are always with me, and everything I have is yours," underscores the importance of extending grace and forgiveness to others, just as God has extended grace to us.

Conclusion

In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus offers a profound insight into the nature of God's love and forgiveness. He reveals that God's love is not conditional, dependent on human obedience, but freely given to all who turn to Him. Jesus challenges us to move beyond a legalistic understanding of our relationship with God and embrace a deeper understanding of His heart.

As we reflect on the parable of the prodigal son, may we be inspired to extend forgiveness to others, just as God has forgiven us. May we also remember that God's love is unchanging and unconditional, always available to those who seek Him.

Converge 2025 - Changing Lives!

A decade ago, newly appointed AUC Youth Director Pr Jeff Parker had an idea.

A young couple walk to the evening meeting at Converge 2025

I had the honour of riding in the car with Jeff to dinner on Monday night at the end of Converge 2025. He was taking the Australian Youth Directors to dinner to say thanks for making Converge 2025 really shine. It was a special weekend!

Jeff invited the Life Group leaders (students who run small groups at their universities around Australia) to join the Youth Directors for dinner. I mentor the Life Group leaders online with monthly one-on-one video chats and a weekly Discipleship newsletter. Converge was my first time meeting them in person. We had spent the afternoon workshopping Disciple-Making and Small Group logistics.

In the car, it was just Jeff and I. So, it was storytime!

Jeff told me, a decade ago, Converge was just a dream. The statistics said we were losing our youth, like all churches, when they went to University. How could we keep them? How could we let them know they are special and we love them? Converge was Jeff’s answer. A weekend just for them. All the best of camp-meeting, but just for young adults. A long weekend of camping, worshipping, socialising, watersports, Bible study, food and more.

Over a decade before, at the 2013 Youth Advisory Meeting with the Youth Directors of the Conferences of the Australian Union, whom Jeff mentors and resources, he told them the dream. He told them they were going to run a young adult long weekend camp-meeting. They would invite Adventist youth from all around Australia, and call it Converge. It was going to be held in February, right before students went back to University. Jeff’s hope was that Converge would strengthen the relationship our Adventist university students have with Jesus and empower them spiritually before they head back to study.

When he floated the idea to the youth directors, they unanimously said, “No, Jeff! We run summer camps in January. Junior camp. Teen camp. Youth camp. A week each! And then, you want us to run another one in February!?! We are dead in February!” Jeff smiled, left it on the table for a while and then said, “The first Converge is next February! I want you there. Your young adults need to see you there. But, I know you’re tired. So, here’s my promise: ‘If you are worn out from summer camps, just come. You don’t have to help with setup or take down. I just want you there so your youth see you and can chat with you.’ ”

Jeff glanced over at me, in the car, and said, “That promise still stands. They all come to Converge but only work at setup and takedown if they have the energy. Then we have our annual advisory the following couple of days.”

At the first Converge, 285 young adults from all over Australia converged on Stuarts Point Campground in North New South Wales. It had been a great success. Such numbers! Young adults from every corner of Australia had made the trip. The Youth Directors joined Jeff in thanking Jesus. They had pushed through all the barriers and difficulties. And, it was worth it!

“This year,” Jeff said as he deftly navigated another tight corner, “We had over 800 at Sabbath worship!” This was more than the number of registrations for the weekend. "They sneak in from the beach!" Jeff laughed. Imagine that, youth sneaking IN to church!

Converge finished Monday morning with a powerful time of worship and prayer. Once the majority of the campers left, it was time for our Life Group training. I had two groups with whom I conducted training sessions. The first was on Monday afternoon, and the second was on Tuesday Morning. When I walked up to the table on Monday where my first group was to meet, there were two early birds. James, a Life Group leader from Newcastle University, turned to me and said, “Nyasha and I were just talking about our takeaways from Converge. What was yours?”

The Monday Afternoon Life Group Workshop

I sat down and framed my thoughts. “I’ve had so many chats with so many people this weekend. I absolutely loved it! But, if I had to say the one thing that really shouts at me from this weekend, it is the joy of seeing so many Adventist young adults worshipping together. When you return to your small churches or University without a church, you know: You are not alone! The Adventist church in Australia is full of youth. Youth on fire for Jesus - just like you. To me, Converge is a blessing because it gives you two messages loud and clear: You are not alone. And you are loved!”

Sunrise at Converge 2025

“Yeah,” James said, “And we are only a small percentage of the youth back home. A representative sample. You’re right. It is very encouraging.”

So, thanks, Jeff! Thanks for telling me the Converge story. And, thanks for dinner. To the Youth Directors of the Conferences in Australia who do so much every day to show the love of God to our youth - a HUGE thanks! You are making a difference.

Converge is changing lives!

Epic Storytelling! Your Story, His Story and The Power of Telling.

There is nothing as powerful as a story.

This simple statement resonates with a profound truth that echoes through the ages and across cultures. From ancient myths whispered around campfires to modern novels that grip our imaginations, stories have always held an unparalleled power to shape our understanding of the world, ignite our emotions, and connect us to something larger than ourselves.

His Story - The Bible and God

Consider Christianity, a faith that stands as a testament to this very power. At its heart, Christianity isn't a set of doctrines or a list of rules – it is an epic story. A sweeping narrative that unfolds from the dawn of creation to the promise of a glorious future, filled with drama, love, loss, redemption and hope. This grand story, often referred to as the Great Controversy, is the meta-narrative of the Bible. It provides the very foundation upon which the Christian faith is built. It’s an epic tale of a loving Creator, a tragic fall, a profound act of sacrifice, and the promise of ultimate restoration. Woven into this grand tapestry are countless smaller stories – parables, historical accounts, biographical sketches – each thread contributing to the richness and depth of the overarching epic.

Our Story - The People and God

And within this magnificent, timeless story, you and I have our place. Each of us, whether we realise it or not, is living out a story set of our own. These aren’t just random sequences of events; they are personal narratives imbued with meaning, shaped by our experiences, and ultimately, pointing towards something bigger than ourselves. For those of us who walk in faith, these individual stories take on a special significance. They become testimonies, personal accounts of how the grand story of God’s love and grace intersects with the intimate details of our lives. These testimonies are not merely about us; they are about the unfolding epic of faith and the progress it is making, in us and through us in the world.

Your Story - You and God

Have you ever considered your life as a story? Perhaps you've seen it as a series of tasks, a collection of responsibilities, or a daily grind. But what if you began to perceive it as a narrative, a journey filled with its own unique chapters, characters, and turning points? When we see our lives through this lens, something remarkable happens. We discern patterns, recognise themes, and understand that even the seemingly mundane moments are threads in a larger design.

The power of story lies in its ability to connect with us on a deeply human level. Stories engage our emotions in a way that facts and figures often cannot. A well-told story can evoke empathy, spark hope, ignite courage, and even challenge our preconceived notions. Why is this so? Because stories mirror the very structure of our own minds and experiences. We naturally process information through narrative. We remember events as stories, we explain our lives through stories, and we even dream in stories. It's how we make sense of the world and our place within it.

Creative Stories - Jesus' Way of Telling

Think about Jesus's parables. These weren't abstract theological treatises. They were relatable stories—about a lost sheep, a prodigal son, and a persistent widow. These simple narratives conveyed profound spiritual truths not through complex arguments but through relatable experiences of everyday life. Jesus understood the power of story to bypass intellectual barriers and speak directly to the heart. He knew that stories could illuminate the path to understanding and inspire transformation in a way that direct commands or theological lectures simply could not.

The Great Storytellers

The grand story of Christianity offers us a framework for understanding our own individual narratives. It provides context, meaning, and purpose to our lives. It tells us that we are not just random beings adrift in a chaotic universe, but that we are part of a divine plan, created with intention and loved beyond measure. This grand narrative begins with creation – a beautiful world crafted by a loving God. It then acknowledges the reality of brokenness and sin – the fall from grace that affects all of humanity. But it doesn’t end there. The Christian story is fundamentally a story of redemption. It’s a narrative of God’s unwavering love, manifested in the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, offering a path back to wholeness and restoration. And it culminates in the promise of a glorious future – a new heaven and a new earth, where all things will be made right.

Our personal stories, our testimonies, are like individual chapters within this grand epic. They are accounts of how this grand story of redemption has touched our lives in specific and personal ways. A testimony isn’t necessarily a dramatic, life-altering event (though it can be). More often, it’s a quiet unfolding, a gradual realization of God's presence and grace in the everyday moments of our lives. It might be a story of overcoming hardship, finding strength in weakness, experiencing forgiveness, or simply sensing a profound peace amidst the chaos of life.

These personal stories are powerful for several reasons. Firstly, they make the grand narrative of faith relatable and tangible. The epic story of the Bible can sometimes feel distant or abstract. But when we hear a personal testimony, we see how these ancient truths are still relevant and active in the lives of ordinary people today. We see faith not as an abstract concept, but as a living, breathing reality that transforms lives.

Secondly, testimonies offer encouragement and hope to others. When we share our struggles and how we found strength through faith, we offer a beacon of hope to those facing similar challenges. We show that faith isn't a fairytale for the naive, but a real source of power and resilience in the face of adversity. Our stories can be a lifeline to someone who is feeling lost, alone, or discouraged in their own journey.

Thirdly, sharing our stories strengthens our own faith. When we articulate our experiences, we reflect on God's work in our lives in a deeper way. We revisit moments of grace, we acknowledge answered prayers, and we recognise the hand of God guiding us through various seasons of life. This process of reflection and sharing solidifies our own understanding of our faith and strengthens our conviction.

Imagine the ripple effect that could occur if each of us embraced our stories as testimonies and began to share them more freely. Think of the encouragement, the hope, and the inspiration that would spread. Think of the individuals who might encounter faith for the first time, or whose flickering faith might be rekindled by hearing your story. Your story, no matter how ordinary it may seem to you, has the potential to touch hearts, challenge perspectives, and ultimately, point others towards the grand, life-transforming story of Jesus.

The Power of Your Testimony

So, what is your story? Take some time to reflect on your life as a narrative. What are the key chapters? Who are the important characters? What are the defining moments? 

As you ponder these questions, begin to look for the threads of faith woven through your narrative. Where have you seen God's presence? Where have you experienced His grace? Where have you found strength beyond your own? As you identify these moments, you will begin to see your life not just as a personal journey, but as a chapter in the grand, unfolding epic of God’s love. 

As you recognise the power of your own story, may you be inspired to share it with others, adding your unique voice to the timeless chorus of testimonies that echo the power and grace of the Christian faith? Let your story be heard, let it inspire faith, and let it contribute to the progress of this magnificent, ongoing epic. Your story matters because it is part of His story.