The Prodigal's ReturnSample

I Know Best

Taylor Harmon

[Luke 15:11-16 MSG] Then he said, “There was once a man who had two sons. The younger said to his father, ‘Father, I want what’s coming to me right now.’ So, the father divided the property between them. It wasn’t long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had. After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to feel it. He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corn cobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any.”

Tracing all the way to the beginning of creation, humans have made mistakes thinking they can try their own will and go against God. As we all know, the first humans to walk the earth began to think they could try things their own way. Some of their thoughts and actions resulted in permanent consequences for the human race. Many years later, Jesus tells the story of the prodigal son taking the same stance. Humans too often think we can make plans for our lives and decisions. Like the prodigal son, I decided to chase my own will deep into the pits of addiction. It began with “partying” like a regular young person. I quickly realized the more I drank and used, I became increasingly numb to the guilt, pain, and shame of this life. It was a temporary solution. Before long, I started to wake up in withdrawals and life became more and more miserable. Finally, I was only drinking and using because I had to so I wouldn’t be sick. It wasn’t fun anymore! My life had become unbearable. I couldn’t figure out what to do about my addiction and misery. I wasn’t sure where to turn or where to get help. It wasn’t until I was eating the proverbial “pig slop” that I realized, I had a God who loved me no matter where I had been, no matter what I had done, and that He would celebrate my return to Him. A praying family and some humility from God led to me asking for help. I knew my life had to change. I knew I couldn’t keep living that way. When I came back home to God, oh the blessings he rained down! Because of Jesus’ blood shed on the cross for us, we all have access to this forgiveness and restoration through God! We have a direct line to God to ask for Him to come into our lives to lead and guide us. In fact, God allows us to come as we are. He dusts us off and cleans us inside and out.

God, I pray that today, you will help me remember that I have a loving home in You. I can come to you anytime with my hurt, pain, and shame. You will forgive me. As long as I follow Your will, my life will be blessed! Amen.