A lot of people cross my path … all shapes, sizes, genders, those in good times and not so good times. I’ve seen lives spin out of control, falling into the pits of despair, and I’ve seen the miraculous happen as those same people walk the journey of restoration. Currently, I am witnessing the life of a young woman that is in peril of a very broken life.
It begins very simply with dissatisfaction somewhere in your life … your looks, lack of attention, your station in life, your relationships. You start telling yourself, “if only …” and desire begins to blossom. You then fall prey to deception by isolating yourself from anyone who doesn’t agree with your beliefs and intentions. Separation and isolation can be dangerous. God created us as relational beings. To fill the void, a decision is often made to fill the void with external comforts … food, clothes, friends who aren’t really friends, partying, etc., etc. Once you convince yourself that you are right and everyone else is wrong, you delight in your new lifestyle. Then, inevitably, disillusionment occurs after an event outside your control throws you to the bottom of the pit. Finally, sick of your circumstances, you determine to make a change.
This is the journey of the prodigal son we read about in scripture (Luke 15: 11-32). There we find a young man running, trying to escape all that he was, and actually looking forward to a future separated from his father’s influence. He’s burned all his bridges, intentionally not looking back. In his mind he is free, and he will never again have to serve his father. He’s arrogant and confident that he has taken control. To those of us who have been there and done that, we want to shout, ‘watch out!’ Unfortunately, he is set to make his fantasy work.
For every prodigal there are ‘bumps in the road.’ Over time the prodigal gets ‘taken in,’ and is vulnerable. He rationalizes and attempts to figure it out himself. This only increases the tension. He realizes nothing, and will receive nothing. The prodigal has been sabotaged by his own choices.
Many times we are confused as we come to this same terrible place of personal weakness. We were the ones who made the awful choices, then, over time, became truly desperate and needy as we find ourselves at a place where only Jesus can make the difference.
The prodigal son wasted his time, his resources, his relationships and his health. But when he brought the fragments and pieces of his life back to his father, his father completely restored what had been wasted. That’s exactly what God does – He is the “restorer-in-chief.” God is in the business of miracles and impossibilities as He brings restoration in lives.
Today is the day to declare, “No more wasted time. No more stolen years, relationships, health or resources in my life.” Is your life filled with broken fragments? –God cares about the fragments and pieces of your life. Isn’t it time to return to Him?
Luke 15: 17-24 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “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. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”
Tagged: Bible stories, fathers, scripture
