We Are All Running Like a Prodigal

It is not often that a topic keeps showing up no matter how often I ignore it. Lately however I have been hounded by the story of the prodigal.

Anyone that knows a little bit about scripture has surely heard the parable. Unknowingly I had heard it but never fully understood it until recently.

Growing up I was like many kids my age, a bit rebellious and all kinds of a know it all. After spending years having religion shoved down my throat, I began to stray.

I got involved with what some would say (my mother especially ) were the rif raff or troublemakers. More than once I was called a prodigal or heard comments like “the prodigal son returns” after a late night or rowdy weekend. I thought it as an annoying term that my mom liked to throw around, never realizing we all are prodigals.

We get so wrapped up in worldly things we begin to separate ourselves from our Father.

Just as in the Bible we get so busy chasing our dreams, our jobs, our lives, we run from our Father. He patiently waits for our return, praying, hoping, longing for us to run back to Him. We feel we have gone so far astray that we no longer deserve His love, therefore we can never return. All the while if we just turn around he is waiting for us with arms wide open.

Wherever you are, no matter what you may have done, it is not the end. He will sacrifice the fattest calf and celebrate you coming home. We are all washed clean of our sin, we just need to come home. He no longer waits for you, He is running to you, how long will you make Him chase you? Maybe today is the day that you turn your life around and go running to Him like the prodigal.

for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.

As someone who spent many years similar to the prodigal, wandering, spending I never realized the cost. It was later in life that I came to understand that my behaviour hurt my Father. Sure it concerned and troubled my earthly father, yet it hurt my heavenly Father.

When we recognize our Father’s unconditional love our lives are changed forever.

Personally when I was able to accept the mistakes I have made and had the courage to turn my life around and come home. It was then that I started to really live. I was asked a few weeks ago ‘what had changed?‘ I really did not know what to say and in turn gave God all the glory for my homecoming.

I would love to hear from you, do you have a story of a prodigal in your life? Maybe it was you? Please share below and join the conversation.

Blessings,

CJ