Compassion for Prodigals – Part 1

I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” 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.

─ Luke 15:18-20

Can you imagine the fear and anger that rises up as you realize your child has run away from home? Your immediate response is to bring them home. Jesus told a story of a young man who left home in Luke 15.

Prodigals come from all walks of life. They’re not just children. They are friends or co-workers, cousins, moms and dads, husbands or wives. The odds are that there is at least one prodigal in your life—maybe more.

You really don’t know what God is doing in their life until He has done it. You may be tempted to try to reduce your own pain—and theirs—by jumping in to rescue them. Instead, let life teach them and permit natural consequences to educate them.

In Jesus’ story, the younger son took his inheritance, went to a distant land and squandered his money in wild living. After the money was gone, famine struck. In order to survive, he got a job feeding pigs and became so hungry he seriously considered eating the pig’s food. This young man’s father did not run to his son’s rescue, but instead allowed his son to learn what he needed to on his own.

Today’s One Thing

Give your pain and frustration to the Lord and ask the Him to prepare your heart to receive your loved one with His compassion for them.

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