By the Book
THE LOST SON
Which son do you relate to in the parable of the prodigal son. Do you feel like the son who goes out into the world to find himself or the one who stays at home and continues to do what is expected of him. To be honest, there are times I wish I could be the one who goes out to "sow his wild oats." When the prodigal returns, there is a big celebration. Did you notice the older son was still working in the field? He heard the music and dancing and came in to see what was going on. I have to admit, I would be angry too. The older son confronts the father. He explains, "Look! All these years I´ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!" Do you see the trap he has fallen into? We all do it. Look what he or she has compared to me. Woe is me, God never does anything like that for me.
I love the father´s response. "You are always with me, and everything I have is yours." Don´t you get it. Because you have been faithful, you have everything you need. Be content with what you have. Celebrate that your younger son is home.
We do not know the individual needs everyone has. God alone knows. We also can not understand how everything fits into His plan. The age old lesson here is the same. Keep your focus on God. Do what He has called you to do. He will provide what you need. Get your eyes off everyone else. Let God be God and deal with them the way He sees fit. Let´s face it. In the music world there are people who receive glory and accolades that we sometimes feel we deserve as much but the point is not the recognition from man but the acceptance from God when He says to us "Well done, good and faithful servant."
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 15:11-31, Luke 19:17
BOTTOM LINE
Don't give up the entire farm for one fattened calf.
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