Decision:
This week, as I began to think about the words and music from a particular song which I was playing on my piano, I became so aware of many friends and loved ones, who at one time – walked close with God. But today, sadly, for some reason, they don’t!
It’s amazing how many of these folks, who, at some point or other – have experienced an extraordinary encounter with God.
Hum!
Still, I suppose there are always those, for whatever reason, who choose to do their own thing – things contrary to the things pleasing to God.
Who knows why people respond as they do!
Anyhow, as I continued to play the piano, I was reminded of “The Prodigal Son,” also known as “The Lost Son,” which is one of the most familiar parables of Jesus.
This story also happens to be one of my favourites.
Anyway, as we reflect on this story – when the younger son went away, it’s quite easy to believe that the Father probably had an inkling of the let downs, the rebuffs and the harassments his son would inevitably meet.
Nevertheless, the choice was in the hands of His son. Only he could decide whether to go or stay..
The decision was his, and his alone!
Foolhardy as he was, the son just wanted what was rightfully his. His share of the family estate!
Of course, for those who know the story well, we know what happened next. It wasn’t long before the son gleefully took it all, packed his bags, and moved away!
It was almost like he couldn’t get away quick enough!
There, in a distant country, lacking in discipline and control – spending frivolously and unwisely, he took no time in wasting everything he had.
Meanwhile, as the story progressed, we notice that the important characteristic of the Father’s love – was displayed by resolute determination – as He reliably looked and waited for His son to return home.
Friend, please observe, the Father could not coerce His younger son to come home. Only the son could take the first step – to come back to the place where he had been before.
The decision was his, and his alone!
Yet, for the Father, as He eagerly looked from a distance, He was ready, waiting to accept and receive His son with unconditional love – and with great gladness.
Indeed, as we get to the heart of the story here – when the son had reached his lowest point – penniless, hungry, half-starved and without friends – he finally began to think – he would be better off by returning home to his Father.
Quickly and without warning, he came to his senses. The penny dropped!
Somehow, he began to understands something that many have long since understood.
Yep, you’ve guessed it, he began the homeward journey.
Subsequently, when he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced his lost son, and kissed him.
Dear friend, if you’ve been walking far away from God – He is looking and longing for the day when you will return home.
And yes, that’s right! As the Father’s arms are open wide – reaching out to accept and receive you, the celebration awaits.
In truth, if you’re facing hard times right now – they’re small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for you!
So, if your life is empty and in a mess – come back to God today.
Surely, if you’ve ever needed Him – it’s now!
The choice is yours!
English: Contemporary English Version (UK) - CEV-UK
12 The younger son said to his father, “Give me my share of the property.” So the father divided his property between his two sons. 13 Not long after that, the younger son packed up everything he owned and left for a foreign country, where he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 He had spent everything, when a bad famine spread through that whole land. Soon he had nothing to eat. 15 He went to work for a man in that country, and the man sent him out to take care of his pigs. pigs: The Jewish religion taught that pigs were not fit to eat or even to touch. A Jewish man would have felt terribly insulted if he had to feed pigs, much less eat with them. 16 He would have been glad to eat what the pigs were eating, what the pigs were eating: The Greek text has “ pods”, which came from a tree in Palestine. These were used to feed animals. Poor people sometimes ate them too. but no one gave him a thing. 17 Finally, he came to his senses and said, “My father's workers have plenty to eat, and here I am, starving to death! 18 I will go to my father and say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against God in heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer good enough to be called your son. Treat me like one of your workers.’ ” 20 The younger son got up and started back to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son and hugged and kissed him. 21 The son said, “Father, I have sinned against God in heaven and against you. I am no longer good enough to be called your son.” 22 But his father said to the servants, “Hurry and bring the best clothes and put them on him. Give him a ring for his finger and sandals ring...sandals: These show that the young man's father fully accepted him as his son. A ring was a sign of high position in the family. Sandals showed that he was a son instead of a slave, since slaves did not usually wear sandals. for his feet. 23 Get the best calf and prepare it, so we can eat and celebrate. 24 This son of mine was dead, but has now come back to life. He was lost and has now been found.” And they began to celebrate.
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