Prodigal

“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... My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours." Luke 15: 20-24, 31


This story is used pretty often in churches, enough so that up until recently, whenever a speaker or pastor would introduce it as the source of their message, I shrugged it off as "old news" and said "I get it, God takes us back even though we're sinners." However, the last 3 times that I've heard it have struck much deeper chords in me, tuning me into how wholistically it explains the human condition and the incredible character of God.

The word prodigal means "to lavish, to yield abundantly, luxuriant." For me, it has been difficult to believe that about God and His character. Until recently, I maintained a core belief about God that discipline and punishment are one in the same, and not listening or following God's rules will lead to punishment and wrath.

I am now learning that God doesn't operate this way and never has. God's wrath is not focused on the mistakes made by those who seek Him, although we make mistakes ALL the time. God is always present, guiding us from the sidelines as we make our own decisions. That's what His "rules and regulations" really are - guidelines and boundaries mapped out by God because He knows the realities of His creation and of the broken world, just like our parents set up rules knowing what is healthy and what will be detrimental to our growth.

I suffer the consequences for decisions made that are not in line with His best for me. But in my failures, God isn't inflicting the suffering and consequences. God is in the discipline, or the guidance and correction, that takes place as we're getting up and moving forward. Our heavenly Father isn't waiting for us to fail so he can inflict punishment, He is waiting for us to realize our brokennes and come back home to Him.

This image is so perfect and beautiful, but I still reject it everyday. I have been ashamed of my mistakes and haven't believed that I'm worthy of forgiveness. I haven't believed that God is trustworthy because I have come to expect disappointment, pain, abandonment, rejection, and punishment.

Someone, like myself, who assumed these things about God's character and was gravely mistaken: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF3FX43F-7Y&feature=related 

The incredible truths that I'm understanding more every day:
God is not ashamed of us. (Hebrews 2:11, 11:16)
God replaces our shame and disgrace with a doubled inheritance. (Isaiah 61:7)
We have always been His. (Luke 15:31)

God isn't waiting for us to grovel at His feet so He can inflict punishment and disappointment. He is waiting for us to return home and understand that we have always belonged to Him. He is longing to show us what we were created to be - His children living in and from a place of unconditional love, perfect trust, and abundant inheritance.