In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), there are two sons: the younger son, who runs away from home to an alien country, and the older son, who stays home to do his duty. The younger son dissipates himself with alcohol and sex; the older son alienates himself by working hard and dutifully fulfilling all his obligations. Both are lost. Their father grieves over both, because with neither of them does he experience the intimacy he desires.
Both lust and cold obedience can prevent us from being true children of God. Whether we are like the younger son or the older son, we have to come home to the place where we can rest in the embrace of God’s unconditional love.
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June 30, 2008 at 11:15 am
Mike Lovell
Interesting take. I see a bit of myself in both the younger and older son. But the truth is that both are lost, regardless of their activities. I found myself on the outer edges of any relationship from an early age, especially when it came to my father, as well as my Father.
With either paternal counterpart, this type of relationship can definitely make for a much longer, harder road than need be. Intellectually the concept is easy to identify, and know what needs to be done, and yet psychologically and emotionally, the transition back home can be almost as, if not more so, difficult a journey to make.
I see the markers on the road leading me back home, in both scenarios, and I know that someday I’ll make it there to be part of a whole and happy family. The only question is “how long til I get there?”
June 30, 2008 at 11:18 am
helenl
Mike, you might like Nouwen’s book The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming.
June 30, 2008 at 11:30 am
Mike Lovell
I’ll definitely look into that one. Thanks for the suggestion!
July 1, 2008 at 12:31 am
writeathome
I think the cold obedience part is especially heartbreaking. I have seen some children raised in church or I should say their parents brought them to church, but they never found a relationship with Jesus Christ for themselves. They were just waiting for the day when they were old enough to pursue “greener pastures.” Many of them never come back, but fortunately, I have seen some of them turn around and realize that that relationship with God is what they really were seeking for after all.
July 1, 2008 at 10:44 am
helenl
Few churches really preach that, Carol, because if they did, they know kids would figure out they could have a relationship with Jesus and still go to the lake on a given Sunday. And they have lost their control. Sadly, many churches are more about control than Jesus. Often it takes going away before people understand that they, not just the preacher and the elders, are the church.