The prodigal son was a son. He wasn't an outsider. He was a member of the family, yet he left all that was his and lived a rebellious life.
The prodigal son did things his father would never approve of. Yet, his father never tried to stop him from the lifestyle he had chosen for himself. Instead, the father waited. And waited. And waited. The father waited for the son to see the error of his choices. The father waited for the son to come home.
As believers, we can become prodigal children. Before we began a relationship with Jesus, we were called sinners and we were not a part of the family of God. But God saved us when we confessed our sins and chose to live in a way that pleases Him. If we turn our backs on God after becoming a believer we are a prodigal child. God our Father stills loves us, yet He will not force us to stay with Him. We can leave and do whatever we want. We can do all kinds of things that He would not approve of and He will not stop us. What does God do while we walk the path of prodigal selfishness instead the path of righteousness? He waits. And waits. And waits. God our Father waits for us to return to Him.
The wayward son came to his senses after suffering the consequences of his actions. He made the choice to leave the pig pen he was in and return to his father's house. When he got home, he wasn't even up to the house yet when his dad came running out to meet him. His dad rushed to make him part of the family again. It didn't even take the time for the son to walk the length of the driveway before he experienced the love and forgiveness of his father. He was restored and reconciled before he had a chance to say anything.
It does not matter how far we have moved away from God, our Heavenly Father, all we have to do is turn around and face Him, apologize to Him, and confess our prodigal sins. In that moment, we find out how fast God our Father will restore our relationship with Him. We will discover how fast God our Father will pour out His love on us. Love that He has been waiting to give to us. We will experience how quickly we can be accepted again.
Are you a prodigal child right now? Are you on the prodigal path that leads you farther and farther away from your Father God? Or are you in the prodigal pig pen? Maybe you have walked the prodigal path and are living in the prodigal pig pen reaping the consequences of your choices and actions. Have you reached the end of yourself, your abilities, and your resources to live the prodigal life? Has the pain of being a runaway child of God become too much? If so, don't despair. Just turn around and face the direction that leads you back to a relationship with your Heavenly Father. He has been watching and waiting every moment of every day for your return home. Turn your back on the selfishness that started you down the prodigal path. Turn your back on unbelief, addictions, self-indulgent living, adulterous relationships, apathy, laziness, and anything that has led you away from your relationship with God.
Turn your back on prodigal living and find out how fast God's love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy will meet you and hug you.
Scripture
The Lost Son (Luke 15:11-24)
Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 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 men.' 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.
