Prodigal Hearts

When I asked God this morning, in accordance with Pete Grieg's request on my daily prayer app, for a verse or a story to take with me into 2020, the impression I immediately got was of the parable of the prodigal son. I've not had time to reflect much on it yet, but I wanted to get a few thoughts down as soon as I could, if nothing other than to serve as a reminder or pointer to this story. Something that has been highlighted for me quite a bit recently is just how deep my feelings of abandonment and rejection go. I have carried, and have a propensity for carrying, what John Eldridge would call 'an orphan spirit'.

The story of 'The Prodigal' (although it is actually a story of three characters) contains two approaches to sonship. Before God gave me the story of the prodigal, in my end of year reflections, as disciplines he brought to mind feasting and fasting. Of course within the discipline of feasting is the notion of celebration, which is where the two are tied together and how God bought confirmation to me. I had thought briefly about the need to celebrate more, and then the thought of the celebration at the prodigals return came to me, which took me immediately to the older brother. Just moments before I had been being resentful (If I'm honest) about how under appreciated I have felt in certain aspects of my Christian service. The tragedy of the older brother is that he holds an orphaned spirit although he is in the closest proximity to the father. He is, as the song has it, 'standing knee deep in a river and dying of thirst'.

I fear, at my worst I am the older brother.

And how much better to be the prodigal?

The prodigal is all feasting whilst the older brother is all fasting.

There is much merit in the duty of the older brother, but never without Joy. There is no pleasure in that, for us or for our father.

You are always with me, he tells the older brother, and everything I have is yours. How can we live in that and have no joy?

The challenge, dear son, should you chose to accept it, is to live in the light of that. To celebrate his presence and abundance in all things. To learn to fast and to feast as a loved son.

Yes please.

Thank you Father.