One thing we learn from the story of the prodigal son is that an opportunity for real joy comes when we are broke. Or broken. When we’ve sinned or blown it in something it’s not over. If… we remember and return to our Heavenly Father.
When the prodigal son sat down to that homecoming feast I don’t think he could have been happier. Just imagine the new eyes that he had after all he’d been through, friendless and starving. Imagine the new heart that was his as he pulled up to a table he’d once scorned and blew off. Now it’s everyone else that’s ho humming their food, not him. He’s enraptured. Enraptured like Bob, in the movie What about Bob. Declaring in wonder, “Is this hand shucked corn?!”
What has changed? Him. His heart. His view. He now knows what he’s got. Do you?
His older brother is still in the barn. He’s never hit bottom. Never rebelled. Never goofed up, messed up, wasted a day, or a year. He’s never copped out, or chickened out, or walked away. He has no idea what it’s like to feel… guilty. Guilty of being a poor steward. So he’ll never really see, or love, or be joyful about, all he’s got.
And Jesus said, “He who has been forgiven little loves little…”
When God Almighty runs at you and hugs the stuffing out of you in spite of who you’ve been, you just can never pout in God’s house again. Because you’ve learned the Dorothy lesson. You know, the one from the Wizard of Oz. You’ve learned that….
There is just
No place
Like home.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Psalm 84:4 NIV
Dana Huffman 