Sometimes the grass always looks greener doesn't it? It's not only that we get impatient perhaps for life to be grand (as it should be) but also that we deserve the best. That is what God wants for us isn't it? So the younger son, or any one of us, gets it in our heads that God loves us so much (and He does) and that we deserve a grand life right now and well, why not? Right?
We are already graced with so much. Do we cherish the gifts that we have been granted? We have so much as we look around. That is, if we care to really look around. I think we'd all see how wonderful God is to each and every one of us. Even in our darkest hour when perhaps we think we are being tested by some calamity, circumstance of life or trial, God is gracing us even then. No, not by giving us the trial but certainly by being with us for the trial. Our God is always giving us our inheritance up front. The question remains, do we squander it? Do we think what someone else has is better?
I suppose it is comforting to know that you could take advantage of God. You could knowingly squander what you have bee n given and I believe God would welcome you back with open arms. When you do that though you become hollow and perhaps lost to yourself. You wind up not even knowing who God really is in your life. For those who stray, it is comforting to know God will welcome you.
Of all things we can do in Lent and there are many, many ways to approach Lent, one excellent way is to count your blessings. Do no squander what God has given you.
Then Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up 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 like one of your hired hands.’ ” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.
‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” ’
No comments:
Post a Comment