I had a lightbulb moment last night. As I was working on something on my computer, I had a movie on in the background. My husband was sitting in his chair reading and all of a sudden what I was hearing from the TV at the time hit me, and it connected with a few things I've read or heard in the last 15 days, or so. (Yes... sometimes it takes a 2" x 4" hitting me over the head for things to connect.)
I woke up one morning about the middle of this month with a song and the lyrics encouraged my heart that the prodigals are coming back to the Father's house. I prayed, and have continued to do so, as the Lord brings it to my heart.
But last night, I heard a commercial on the TV and the words were repeated three times in a row, "Come home". THEN I remembered of the movies I've watched in the last 10 days, two or three of them were titled "Time For Them (or Him, or Her- depending on the movie) to Come Home..." Then another commercial came on singing "I'll Be Home For Christmas".
So, this morning I picked up the Bible and read Luke 15:11-32. The parable of the Prodigal Son. Many of us have read it repeatedly. Many of us have heard many messages on it. Many of us, at some point in our life may have felt like we were the prodigal. When I read it, the question I felt me asking myself is how will I respond to a prodigal when they come back?
When the prodigal comes back- the Father runs to meet him.
When the prodigal comes back- the Father gives him a new robe.
When the prodigal comes back- the Father gives him new shoes.
When the prodigal comes back- the Father gives him a ring.
When the prodigal comes back- the Father gives him a feast.
BUT
When the prodigal comes back- the elder brother pouts.
When the prodigal comes back- the elder brother complains.
When the prodigal comes back- the elder brother won't rejoice.
When the prodigal comes back- the elder brother has a pity party.
It may seem when they come back to the Father's house that the prodigal is being celebrated, and I may not have felt that while I stayed and they didn't.
If I do not watch my heart and attitude, this can open the door for jealousy, bitterness and more.
I know there is another parable about the shepherd that looses one of this 100 sheep, and he leaves the 99 to go find the one, and when he finds it he calls everyone to rejoice with him because it is found. (Matthew 18:10-14 & Luke 15:4-7)
I know that Luke 15:7 tells us "...there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."
The elder brother in this parable tells the Father all the good he has done for the Father, and he isn't corrected on that. The Father simply wants him to rejoice with Him over the brother that came back to life from being dead.
It seems like a simple concept, and a simple request. However, when I have allowed, and even nurtured, hard feelings, a grudge, or judged someone when they were not in Father's house; when they come home what has been allowed has grown and will keep me from being able to rejoice and celebrate with my Father.
Lord, thank You for the reception You gave me, when I came back to you after running. Thank you for the love You showed me, and for those that celebrated with You over my return. Help me to keep my heart clean from jealousy, bitterness, and any judgmental attitude towards those that are still running. Help me to love with Your love and rejoice with You, over their return. Thank you that they are coming home!!! Amen.