I used to think it meant lost. Like that Lost Son from Jesus’ parable in Luke 15:11-32. That son, who seemed to have it pretty good at home, decided that the grass was greener on the other side. You know this story, I am sure. But, for the sake of completeness…he chucked it all, asking his father for his inheritance, and then ran off for a “far country” where he spent all his money on wine, women, and song. When the funds ran out, he found himself in a Pigsty surrounded by (pigs of course, plus) filth and regret. He did the only sensible thing at that point, and headed straight home. He hoped his dad would let him work the family farm, for room and board. On the contrary:
…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: 20).
His father accepted him back into the family in spite of his mistakes. The older son was filled with contempt for his generous father and despised his wasteful brother…he didn’t think that his father’s lavish, unconditional forgiveness of his rebellious, reckless brother was fair. He did not like it. not. one. little. bit.
This year, I want to delve into what it means to be PRODIGAL:
- God is Prodigal, just ask Tim Keller (amazon link)
- In some ways, we should NOT be Prodigal
- In some ways, we were made to be Prodigal
- The freedom it takes to be really Prodigal was purchased for us by Jesus; it grows with our obedience, not with our rebellion
So much more to say…which is why it is the word for the YEAR, and not for the day! 😉 How about you? Have you got your New Year’s Resolutions down to just One Word? What is it?
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Love your word – Prodigal! Excited to follow you blog as you delve into this word for 2015. I didn’t choose a word; but will continue to use the word prompts ( Random Journal Day; The Simple Woman’s Daybook; tuesday @ Ten; and Five Minute Fridays) plus some card/letter exchanges; Kindness Counts Friday; and my Sunday Reflections. The last one is really a personal “I want to do this” theme that looks at that Sunday’s sermon (or Bible study/devotions or meditations) with my personal reflections.
Thank for sharing – will be back for more!!
Thanks for the encouragement! Hope to get back to blogging more again this week, but I am still trying to finish up a Bible Study that I am writing! So excited for a fresh start this year 🙂 I look forward to your posts too. I though I had followed you, but realize that I haven’t. Will do it now! 🙂
Thanks, Britta! Let me tell you – the books were a BIG hit! Believe it or not, I had apparently gotten the “The Adventure of Christmas” for my daughter…so I shared the one from you wit my other daughter; now they can both use it to teach the children. They found some really great things in the book…ALL of them were a hit, and were divided up between the two girls!
And excited to hear more about the Bible Study that you are writing!