"And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living."
Luke 15: 11-12
I'll talk about the famous prodigal today. I wonder why he was bold enough to ask his father to divide the inheritance and give him his portion. Whatever his reasons were, it is obvious that he believed that there were more opportunities in the far country.
He made his decision based on the current situation. Don't make permanent decisions because of your situation that is subject to change (If you think this statement justifies remaining under the same roof with a person that has threatened to kill you, I pray that God will open your eyes of understanding and helps you get help QUICKLY!).
Maybe the father had his shortcomings; maybe his brother was a douch to live with. Many times, our situation only seems terrible and hopeless because we've bought into the illusion that the grass is greener on the other side. Like someone rightly noted, the grass may truly be greener on the other side but it's because someone is actually watering the garden. Green grass doesn't just happen by chance; it requires effort. I agree that in some cases, the best of efforts wouldn't yield the desired results because the soil type isn't cut out for grass. Sometimes, you need to try something else other than grass. Sometimes you need to walk away but please don't walk away unless you can honestly stand before God and tell Him you gave it your all.
Whatever fortune you left your covenant relationship for, dear prodigal, WILL be wasted in the far country. After that comes a MIGHTY FAMINE that will cause you to fall behind and be in want. Even when you force yourself on a citizen of the far country, who gives you employment, you will still hunger. Believe me, things won't work IN THE LONG RUN when you've broken covenant and left someone hurting.
In the far country, no one gave the prodigal ANYTHING! I'm sure he looked hungry enough but NO ONE had compassion on me. At some point in my life, I was in such pain and NO ONE showed me the compassion I thought I'll get after telling them my story. I had to go back to the Lord to ask Him if I was living in the FAR COUNTRY. Since I was ready to listen, God showed me areas where I had made SELFISH choices that led me to the FAR COUNTRY, though I hadn't left home physically. I cried in repentance and the Lord healed me. The relationships soured by my SELFISH choices are slowly being restored and I'm trusting God for perfect healing...
Thankfully, hunger helped him come to his senses. He finally realised in the FAR COUNTRY that what he took for granted at home was not available in the FAR COUNTRY. He may not have had his father's attention the way he wanted it but he had his father's provision. His experience in the FAR COUNTRY made him appreciate what he had back at home. You don't have to have horrible experiences, though, before you learn to appreciate what you DO have. A good number of those you relate with have good intentions but YOUR unrealistic expectations may be clouding your judgment.
Thankfully, hunger led the prodigal son back to his covenant relationship with his father. Some, when they came to themselves, thought their case was too hopeless so they relocated to a FARTHER COUNTRY! Some stayed put in the far country and died there...Please, prodigal, return home. Someone is praying and trusting God for your return.
The attitude of the prodigal son when he returned home humbles me. He didn't go back home with a long list of the areas where his father/brother/servants etc failed him thus justifying his SELFISHNESS. He ACKNOWLEDGED his sin, sought forgiveness and was ready to become a servant. It was the father that graciously restored him back as his son. Some prodigals return home EXPECTING to be treated as royalty. It doesn't always happen that way. Some prodigals had to be "servants" for a while before the "stander" could trust them again. Please remain committed to the healing process. Dear Stander, begin at this point to release your hurt and pain to the Lord so that when your prodigal returns, healing will be faster.
Enjoy your day!
The story of the three prodigals is found in Luke 15:11-32
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