ProdigalA few days ago, I woke up with this song running through my head. Now normally that wouldn’t be a problem, but this happened at around 4am. I was not ready to be awake but I just couldn’t stop singing this song in my head.

Just take a minute and listen to the words. They’re powerful! But first you probably should know what the prodigal means. The word prodigal as defined by the online Webster’s dictionary states: a person who spends in an extravagant and reckless way. Now take a minute and just think back to last week. Were you spending extravagantly? Did you waste your time or even your money? Did you spend your energy in the wrong places leaving you tired and rundown when you needed energy? This is what it means to be prodigal.

But there’s also a story in the bible about a prodigal. You can read the story , but the gist is simple. A young man had the brainy idea that he could ask for his inheritance while his father was still living. His dad agreed and give him everything that would be his some day. The young man left for his life of adventure, and boy did he live it up! Women, drinking, parties, and just wasteful living were the defining moments of his extravagant life. And it was great, until the day the money ran out. He found himself lost, hungry, cold, and with no place to find shelter.

Then it dawned on him – I can go home and work for dad! If he takes me back, I’ll at least have a roof over my head and good food. What do I have to lose? Give the song a listen and then we’ll finish the story.

Remember the young man? Well the story ends with him making his way back home. He’s coming up the driveway and the father sees him from a great distance away. He drops everything, jumps from his rocking chair, and runs to hold his son in his arms again.

The young man in this story is us! We waste so much of the life God has given us. Misusing our talents. Frivolous spending. Arrogant attitudes. Then when we realize our ways, we come back. Just like the father in the story, God doesn’t just stay off in the distance and wait for us to come back. He comes to us running! With arms open wide, he throws himself at us to hold us and welcome us back!

Today you and I are the prodigal! Isn’t it great to be the one the Father pursues and welcomes back! Rest in the arms of your savior today! It’s because of him that you are invited to so much more. Don’t settle because the story continues in the arms of your Father.

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”