Can You Have a Fresh Start? Be Happy to Be Home!
Life can sometimes have twists and turns. Some mishaps that take place may be out of our control, while some may be the result of our own choices. The bible clearly states that we have a free will and can choose either life or death. (Deuteronomy 30:19)
When we choose a way that exemplifies the spirit of life it ultimately brings forth things that are related to a sense of protection and freedom, peace, security, confidence, and joy. And when we choose a way that exemplifies the spirit of death it ultimately brings forth a sense of dissatisfaction, uneasiness, discomfort, uneasy, lack of self-confidence, and sometimes pain.
When we make choices that are against the spirit of life in Christ it causes us to get off track regarding our relationship with the Lord. Meaning our lives (inwardly and outwardly) take on an appearance of someone who is unable to gain stability, lacking a sense of joy, and wholeness. Life becomes more of a constant battle in the areas that we are trying to overcome instead of experiencing victories and an overall sense of peace.
Amazingly enough when we choose something that does not breed the spirit of life, it does not mean that God has leaves us or is angry at us because we chose something else over Him. He is disappointed and saddened because like a good father He knows what the results will be for making the wrong choices. It does mean however, that we have left Him in a way where He would be able to be there for us and take care of us.
The parable in the bible about the prodigal son (Luke 15: 11-32) is a great example of God’s unwavering love for us. This parable talks about a son who left his home to go do what he wanted to do, squandering his life savings on frivolous things, and making foolish choices. Until one day the son came to his senses and realized that he made a grave mistake by leaving the peaceful and loving home that he came from to being so hungry that he desired to eat what the pigs were eating. When he headed back home to ask his father for forgiveness his father, seeing him the distance, started to put together a feast celebrating his return.
Ironically the brother (good son) was angry and was upset that the father was putting together a celebration for a son who had been disobedient. And that he had been a good son doing everything that was asked, and he never had a celebration in his honor. But the father told him that he was in a good place and had access to everything good. But his brother was facing death and now he has been found alive. And that within itself called for a celebration.
Notes:
Regarding the “good” son’s comments: The focus should not necessarily be only on the angry son that never left the home who was not willing to celebrate his brother. But more on what the father said regarding the prodigal son, in that he was “alive” or in a place where the spirit of life dwelled, but his brother was in a place where “death” dwelled but now he has life again and that was a reason for a celebration.
The prodigal son was very remorseful.
The father was overwhelmed with joy to see his son return home.
Suggested Scripture Reading
Deuteronomy 30:19
I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing, and the curse; therefore, you shall choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,
Psalm 139: 1-12
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
(Prodigal Son Parable) Luke 15: 11-32
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘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. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”