Over the past year and a half, I have been reminded numerous times, through various avenues, about the parable of the Prodigal Son.
(I decided to check out the dictionary definition for “prodigal”. The gist of several entries defines it as the ‘spending money or resources freely and recklessly; rashly or wastefully extravagant; lavish’.)
I would like to share a few thoughts that have caught my attention over these several months from this parable . . . .
God’s love is so abundant! There are not enough words to describe His love for us. Our minds in the natural could never comprehend His true agape love -- how absolutely amazing is that! In the parable, the father runs (not walks or strolls or toddles or meanders over to . . . . . but RUNS!) out to meet the returned (prodigal) son and warmly welcomes him. The son, in his fatigue and despair and filth and hunger . . . . . But the love of the father far more prevails.
We incredibly limit the capabilities and love our Father has for us. He wants us to have far more than we ask. The son was going to be satisfied with being one of his father’s hired workers. But the father brought him the finest clothes and food for a remarkable celebration feast.
(Let’s pause and think about the party for a moment . . . . the celebration of the son’s return home! Our Father willingly and lovingly takes us back when we’ve wandered off. We need to believe in Him and His promises and accept the immense love and goodness He wants for us. Quite astounding, huh?)
Do we realize our lives can be better than ever imaginable with our God! With Him, all is possible. There are no limits, remember? Let’s choose to live the life He has for us because what He has planned far exceeds the mind’s eye.
(I wonder if the returned son ever stopped to think that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side . . . . I sometimes find it is not . . . )
And oh, so sad. The eldest son. The behavior displayed by the elder son. His jealousy and bitterness and rebellion. I read what he endured and the cost for him because he, unlike the father in the parable, could not accept his brother’s return. Rather than let it go and forgive, as his father did, the brother did not attend the party. He would not enter the house. He would not participate and enjoy the glorious reunion. All because he could not forgive.
I do not want to think of the opportunities I may have missed by not following God’s will in my life. By not believing in Him for His goodness to manifest. By settling for less than His desires for me. By limiting what He can do and has done. How many feasts have I missed because of stubbornness, anger or unforgiveness? All because I would not “let it go”. Lord, help us all to celebrate and fulfill what You have available for each of us. Thank YOU most gracious God!
The Almighty truly wants to be our best friend. Do we treat Him like one? Do we love Him like a best friend? Do we go to Him in trials and treasures like a friend? Do we confide in Him like a friend? Do we talk to Him as often as we do our friends? When we receive a blessing, do we thank Him first, or run to our phones or computers to see who we can notify. . . . ?
Romans 5:5 “God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.”
Mark 11:25 “When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in Heaven will forgive your sins, too.
Luke 23:24 “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive these people, because they know not what they are doing.’”
Luke 15:10 “In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
Prayerfully, your sister in Him,
Robin
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