"But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. “But the father said to his servants,…for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ Luke 15:11-32
A couple of weeks ago we were looking at the story of the Prodigal Son with our kids. It’s the story of a journey that’s been worn over and over for centuries but one that always seems like a warning rather than an affirmation… “Don’t be like the prodigal, don’t be running away now”.
What we actually got to share with our phenomenal kids was that God loves them like a father because they are his children. Being His children doesn’t just stop because of what we do or say.
The prodigal left for a better life but he immediately came under pressure to continue the lifestyle he wanted. He lost his peace when he stopped resting.
The story continues as the prodigal desperately seeks his fulfilment and worth in all the wrong places until eventually he reaches a point of enforced rest. He hits rock bottom. There he is, in the pigsty, and the realisation of his state hits him square between the eyes.
He was the only one who was trying to change his status - he was always his father’s child.
Cue the redemptive conclusion of the parable; the son finally makes his way back to the father who was always there for him. When he finally rested and stopped struggling he was able to see who he truly was.
Today, why not stop thrashing around on the tight rope of life and simply rest, when you do you’ll have a new understanding of who you are in God.