I'm a Prodigal, Are you?
One of my favorite of the parables is that of the Prodigal Son. (Luke 15:11-32) It's the story where the son (a self centered rather demanding brat) demands his inheritance of his father, goes into the world to party, live large, impresses the wrong people.....and loses everything. The son is reduced to living in a pig pen, eating swill, near death's door itself and "ah-ha" the light bulb goes off. He realizes that if he goes back home to be mere lowly servant of his father, he'll live better than he is now. So he swallows his pride and makes the long journey home. How his feet must have dragged, how heavy his heart must have been. The shame of returning home in such circumstances!
As he nears, he sees his father on the porch, looking out onto the roads for sight of his son.
"“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."
One of the most emotional verses in the Bible for me is right there...the father saw him and RAN to his son. He didn't wait for the son to come home in disgrace, he didn't stand there in silence and judgement. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. He ran to him.
This parable shows how we can return to God. For we're all that Prodigal son. We've all gone our own ways, done our own things...and found out this life isn't what it's cracked up to be. This world taints us, we find out the fun is hollow, the burdens are heavy and that most happiness is fleeting. We end up knowing we are meant for more, but we feel so downcast, stained and...un-worthy that the idea of going before God is scary. Even if we know that is where we need to be- how do we go to Him knowing we've let Him down?
If we will just master our pride and turn towards God, we'll find He's been waiting and watching for us. And when He sees us stumbling in that dusty road, humble, heartbroken and hopeful....He doesn't just stand there.
He runs to us.
He runs to us. Grabs us, holds us, kisses us, throws His robe on our shoulders and places a ring (which symbolizes a family bond) upon our finger. He calls for a feast. He never takes His eyes off of us. He greets the humble, returned child with joy, with love, with rejoicing. Not with judgement, but elation. He throws the biggest party we've ever seen....because we've come home.
I don't know where you are spiritually. Only you, and God, know that. But I've been that prodigal. I've broken God's heart...heck, I broke the hearts of my earthly family. I have sinned and stumbled and sat in the mire. I don't deserve grace.
I turned towards God, and looked up in shock and saw that God had been waiting and watching for me to come. And that He ran to me; claimed me, cleansed me and let me know I am His daughter. His beloved daughter. I don't deserve grace- but I got it, abundantly, mercifully, unexpectedly and overwhelmingly. It was showered upon me through the Father's love.
When I talk about God to you, I'm not preaching- I don't have that gift. And I'm not judging- for I have no right. I'm a sinner that made it home and I'm just trying to tell you the porch light is on for you as well. God is waiting, watching...and He wants to run out to you.
Be blessed friends, and be a blessing to someone else.
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