The parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) has moral lessons for us, even today.  The son “learned his lesson” after leaving home then returning home in humility.  However, he didn’t realize the advantages and blessings he had until he experienced the worst of times and circumstances.

Our Father in heaven is a great and mighty God who gives us everything we need to live with Him for eternity.  He created the heavens and the earth.  He created you and me.  Yet, with all of that, how many of us treat Him like He is the One who is at our beck and call?

He knew us from the very beginning of our creation.
Psalm 139:13 (NIV) “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

Yet, we treat Him like He is our servant, to do our bidding when we desire.  We make a mess of our lives and expect Him to come running to us to save us out of circumstances we created without Him.  We see the father of the prodigal son running to him, welcoming him home with outstretched arms.  And, I wonder if we miss the most important part of the story.

Luke 15:17-20 (NIV) “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! 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.”

We must recognize our need for God.

Like the father in the parable, God lets us work through our decisions and experience the consequences of that hardship.  Like the father in the parable, God in His infinite mercy and LOVE, welcomes us home with outstretched arms when we realize our sin against Him and our need for Him.

Luke 15:21-2 (NIV)  “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.”

~ Take it to heart ~

In the midst of your troubles, God is there.
In the midst of your troubles, you must make a choice.
In the midst of your need for God,
He meets you with His arms open wide to welcome you home.
When was the last time you said, “God, I love you.”?