Short Thought continued.....

Surprised by Love

 

In the parable of the prodigal son (see Luke 15:11-32), a father has two sons and the younger son,

rather than wait until his inheritance due upon his father’s death, demands it of him.

The father divides his wealth and the younger son ‘journeyed to a far-off land where he

soon wasted all he was given in a binge of extravagant and reckless living.’ (v13 TPT).

 

When famine hits the land, he finds himself working among a herd of pigs.

Having fallen on hard times and ‘dying of hunger’ (v17 TPT),

 he decides to return to his father’s estate.

He steels himself to return home to ask for forgiveness and declare himself unworthy.  

 

The young man thought that wealth would make his life better

and gave into the temptation to live his life on his own terms.

What he found was that he didn’t have the wisdom or resources to manage in hardship.

 

What a surprise for him to find that his father, on seeing him from a distance,

runs to greet him, throws his arms around him and gives him his robe, ring and sandals,

before killing a fatted calf to celebrate his return.

 

Similarly, we can go off on our own, with resources from God, but use them unwisely.

We may give into worldly pleasures and temptations, and,

when hardships come, are surprised that we can no longer fend for ourselves.

 

Like the younger son, we can fail to see our prodigious Father whose nature is to provide and bless,   

allowing us to chose to leave His shelter to go off into the world.

 

We are unaware that He is continually watching and waiting for us to come to

the end of our resources, and return to Him with empty hands outstretched,

so that he can receive us back with love and grace and celebrate our return.

 

“Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us

as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus —

all because he sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate him with all our hearts! “

(Ephesians 1:3 TPT)

 

Thought: When have you behaved like the son? How has God surprised you?

 

Prayer: Father God, forgive me for those times when I have followed my own path,

rather than recognised what I already have in You.

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