Even Prodigals Can Listen!

05 May Even Prodigals Can Listen!

Read Luke 15:11-24 (NLT)
Thought for the Day: We always benefit from listening to God!

The Prodigal Son was unwilling to wait and therefore he missed “The Big Picture”. He wanted what he wanted, and he wanted it now. He also didn’t care what his older brother had to say about it. Rather than listening to his father’s guidance and waiting for the appropriate time, the Prodigal Son immediately asked for ‘MY SHARE’. With his request granted, the Prodigal Son took off… until he burned out. Eventually, he came to his senses, realizing it was time to return home. It was at this point that something amazing happened.

When the Prodigal Son returned to his father’s house, he had a new perspective: “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.” After foolishly spending his father’s money and ending up penniless, the Prodigal Son learned an important lesson. What he saw as ‘MY SHARE’ wasn’t his at all…after all, his father was still alive. Anything the Prodigal Son was given had been a gift, not something he deserved. But this time, rather than doubling down and demanding something else from his father, the Prodigal Son turned away from his entitlement. With a new mindset, he chose to simply return home… he was even willing to become a servant. He finally was humble and able to listen!

By setting aside unreasonable demands and expectations, the Prodigal Son finally found the happiness he was looking for. This happened once he got over his arrogance and appreciated just being embraced by his father. And, it is a lesson we can all learn. We need humility to listen to God. No matter where we find ourselves, let’s slow down and stop fixating on silly things like ‘MY SHARE’. Scripture is clear. A prodigal’s life gets better once he or she learns to listen.

In Christ,
Pastors Stan and David