12. "The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.' So he divided his wealth between them.
13. "And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.
14. "Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.
15. "So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16. "And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.
17. "But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger !
18. 'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight ;
19. I am no longer worthy to be called your son ; make me as one of your hired men."'
20. "So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
21. "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight ; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22. "But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet ;
23. and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate ;
24. for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again ; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate.
As I was reminded by a good friend recently, this parable by Jesus is not about someone we know or just any random person. But it's YOUR story. It's MY story. It's the story of everyone who chooses to leave the guidance, love, and security found in the Father's house for the deceptive and temporary pleasures of sin, in a "far country," separated from the grace of God.
Are the events in this story necessary for one to realize how much God is needed in life? No. But sadly, it is reality.
Let's look at this parable as Jesus designed it - a metaphor - with God represented by the father and the younger son represented by us, the sinners.
The son makes a complete circle:
1. Comes to his father: Not to express love for him, but to ask him for money, seeking freedom from his father's household.
2. Comes to a far country: Not found on a geography map, but measured by how far he departed in his heart from his father and how far we depart from God today.
3. Comes to want: With nowhere else to turn, he reaches the lowliest point Jesus' listeners could imagine: Feeding pigs. And not just feeding them but also WANTING to eat what they were eating. There is not a clearer picture of how disgusting sin is in the eyes of Our Father and how disgusting it should be to us.
4. Comes to himself: By waking up and realizing the lowly state he is in and how much better his own father's servants have it than him. This is what we realize when we, too, hit the bottom and recognize the errors of our ways and how much better life is with The Father.
5. Comes to his father AGAIN: This time not for money again, but to apologize, humble himself, and ask forgiveness from his father. He realizes his mistakes. Just as the father does in this story, God waits, waits, and waits some more. His patience is unbelievable. Then, when we make the decision to come home, His love, mercy, and grace welcome us back.
The question is, where are you? Not sitting there in front of your computer reading this. But, in the story, this story about YOU, which of the five points do you honestly see yourself at? Are you wanting to leave God? Are you wanting to go to a far country away from His guidance? Are you with the pigs? Are you coming to your senses? Or, are you tired of living a life of sin and a life of no direction and purpose that you are wanting to come home? Whatever point you find yourself at, God bless you on your journey to come home. That is my hope and prayer. Just remember that God never leaves home, but we do. And He is ALWAYS there to welcome us back.
that is a great post daniel :-) thanks for leading the study sunday and for posting that - I think we all need the reminder even if we were present for that discussion...
you're ver welcome! It was fun-anytime you need help with ORQs or anything, let me know. besides, it gives me a good excuse to hang out with you guys and keep you up late. aaaand drink your grape juice.
haha, thanks. glad you had a couple days off :) that's always nice. im really looking forward to thanksgiving break! i bet you like getting all the breaks the students get
13 years of public schooling, 5 years of wandering around in undergrad work, and 1 year of grad work and student teaching all lead up to going right back to where I was nearly a decade ago: With sophomores, but this time as their guide in learning.
Tomorrow - if the Lord wills - is the day I thought was so far away so many times and moons ago, when I was sitting through the classroom management courses and educational psychology, both of which get thrown out the window once the kids walk through my door. As much as profs try to tell us, nothing can prepare us for what we do and feel the first day, or the night before as I find myself anxious and tiresome, yet not sleepy.
Good Luck Daniel...if you need any advice about anything let me know! We still have 2 weeks before we go back, but I'm already engrossed in school stuff!!
Mark says some days are good and some not so good. A lot depends on the group of kids. He was so hoping to never have any of the kids from last year, but he ended up with one class of 10th graders. Most of them were not among the worst. Glad it's getting better for. I'm sure it will as you get more experience. You are a good example for those young folks.
...and enjoying my new place. Thanks for the prayers and the encouraging words. Finally got internet at my place and starting a work-out routine to get in shape. Let's see how long that lasts...
New teacher induction starts next week. All day, Monday through Friday. Let the adventure begin.
Hope you all are doing well.
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Tomorrow (or today, i guess) marks the beginning of something I never really thought I would do: Leave the Dayton area and Ohio for that matter. But it's been a blessing to be here 24 years and be at the same congregation the whole time.
I ask for your prayers for a safe journey to Louisville (especially as I drive the big moving truck) and for everything that I will be facing there with the start of a career, deciding on a congregation, and being away from Alexis...oh, and, maybe you other family folk. ;-)
Come visit Louisville. Seriously. You have a place to stay...and eat. That's right; I'll cook for you. And iron your shirt if need be.
God bless you in your new journey...i am so proud to have known you and seen what a wonderful christian man you have become!!! i know you will do great in KY...u are in our prayers!
