The word prodigal means "one who spends or gives lavishly; recklessly extravagant." As I read the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, I began to wonder if maybe it should be called the Prodigal Father. This Father had two sons and he loved them both extravagantly. One of them came to him and asked for his inheritance early, which in their culture was an insult. The Father, loved his son so lavishly that he was willing to give to him all he wanted, so he passed on the inheritance. The son left his father's home. His father didn't give up on him, he watched for him, and waited for his return.
The son did return, and when he did, he had nothing. The father was recklessly extravagant with him. He clothed him in all the best clothes. He had a welcome home party for him to show his excitement. He lavished him with his love.
This story is exactly how it is with God, our Father. He spends his time pursuing me and lavishly gives to my heart. He is recklessly extravagant to save me and to love me. He will always welcome me home. He covers me in his robes and protects me under his wings.
The enemy attempts to bring up lies of judgment and shame, and sometimes I battle with the truth of the Prodigal Father. I begin to feel that I am clothed in fig leaves rather than righteousness. I wallow in the pig pen, and do not recognize the lavish love right in front of me!
Say That Again, Father, your love is recklessly extravagant!
For I am convinced that neither death, not life, not angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 38-39
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for your comments, I like hearing from you!