A son received from his father his share of inheritance in advance, went away to live in a distant country in a life of debauchery, and became destitute. When a famine occurred in that land, the son became so poor that he could not even find the pods the swine were eating to fill his stomach. Repentant and humbled, the son returned to his father who had been waiting for the return of his son day and night and, upon seeing his son "while he was still a long way off his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him," and celebrated with a fattened calf (Luke 15:20-24).
This is the heart of Father God. He values one soul more than the entire universe, embraces when a child repents and turns back from his sinful ways, and shows him unbounded forgiveness and love.

"From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence..."

~ from Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lees column "The Way" carried on The Hankook Ilbo