WORDS

Come back to God

Do not act like the prodigal son who had to lose everything to acknowledge his mistake

22/11/2018

By: Apostle Valdemiro Santiago

Two children, two minds thinking in opposite directions, but focused on their own benefit. This is the profile of the heirs described in the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. The younger son demands his possessions by deciding to live an adventure and experience the world outside the limits of the father's property. With his suitcases full, he distances himself from everything familiar. He departs from the place, customs and, mainly, values that were habitual to him and begins to lead an immoral life. The money given by the father is used to pay for the expenses of the new lifestyle. Much of the inheritance is wasted with prostitution. After living a time "as if there were no tomorrow", his reserves are over and the country he was facing faces a major economic crisis.

Hunger knocks on your door and brings the need to find a job to provide for your livelihood. It is at this moment that the rich farmer's son finds himself down to pig-keeper.

The young man recalls how his father's servants were treated with "plenty of bread" (Luke 15: 17b), repents having acted on impulse and makes his way back, seeking pardon from his father. To his surprise he is greeted with joy. The love of that father had not diminished with a flood of selfish and immature attitudes. The compassionate attitude bothers the eldest son for not finding any way to benefit from the act of forgiveness. "I have served you for so many years without ever transgressing your command, and you have never given me a kid to rejoice with my friends ..." (Luke 15:19). This father represents the figure of God. The children, it's us. Do you think asking for inheritance in advance was a correct attitude? Not! The son asks his part to the father leaving the impression that he owed something to him, being that he had not built anything with his own hands. How many times do we assume this role and end up praying to God in prayer for things we should not do, as if we were right. All that we receive from the hand of God is the fruit of an undeserved favor called grace. Solomon was given carte blanche to ask for what he wanted and his prayer pleased God because in the place of riches he desired wisdom to govern Israel (1 Kings 3: 5, 6). When you please God you can ask for the improbable, the impossible, which no one has ever heard or imagined could happen that He will respond. The young man's first request was inconsequential, but when he "falls in himself" (Luke 15: 17a), the way he seeks forgiveness is touching and touches the farmer's heart: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son, "Luke 15:21. With him we learn the importance of "falling into self," the value of repentance and the appreciation of forgiveness. No matter how many times you have made a mistake, God continues to love you. Is it far from God? Tired of carrying such heavy loads? Turn to Him. We can only share the burden with those who are close to us. If you remain aloof, acting with self-sufficiency, God can never help you. He awaits you with joy and love, ready to heal your heart and give you the victories you dream so much. God bless your day!