prodigal – Godinterest

One of my favourite bible stories is the Prodigal Son. Watching the father allow his youngest son to leave home and experience life reminds me of the challenges parents face daily. The process of growing and maturing is not always pleasant to watch. We cannot raise strong, responsible children or even spiritual sons and daughters by shielding them from all pain and hardships, especially those that come from their own decisions. Often it is the pain that leads them to the arms of the Father.

Today’s parents of older teens and young adults must release control and learn to trust God in the process. Looking back at the Father in the parable, he knew that he had to allow his son to leave. But he also knew that he could trust the Lord with what was precious to him, the life of his son.

Today, we too must trust God and allow our heavenly Father to mature our children and bring them to His perfect stature. Just as the prodigal son came to himself realizing that he had it better with his father, our seed will as well. It may not be an easy transition, but it is a necessary one. Our children may need a pig pen experience (trial) to come to their heavenly Father. Trying to shield them may lengthen the process of conversion.

“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endures forever–forsake not the works of Your own hands.” Psalm 138:8 (Amplified Bible)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, grant us the grace to trust you with the lives of those we love. Father, teach us continually how to guide our children in wisdom and truth. God as we commit them to you, I ask that you reassure us daily that you will complete the work that you have begun in them. In Jesus name Amen.

This post is inspired by Cory Asbury’s song entitled “Reckless Love”.

When you think of the word “reckless”, what comes to mind? I honestly think of reckless driving. Driving at high speeds while weaving in and out of traffic. Something like that. So how can we possibly use this word to describe God’s love? Cory Asbury does just that in his song, “Reckless Love”.

[The following is a video of me covering the song at an event. Enjoy!]

[videopress qpZ7h2VG]

A LOOK AT RECKLESS LOVE

The Chorus

Let me first share with you the lyrics from the chorus:

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine. I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away. Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God.

Some have argued that the use of “reckless” was a poor word choice and shouldn’t be used to describe God’s love. But I can see exactly where Cory is coming from. God’s love is reckless in its selflessness. It is never-ending. No matter how many times his children may hurt Him, He is still in constant pursuit of each and every one of us. The reference to Matthew 18:12-13 is extremely powerful. God leaves the ninety-nine sheep to pursue the ones who have strayed. That reckless love is an amazing love, an unconditional love.

The Bridge

The bridge of the song continues to describe the depth of God’s love:

There’s no shadow You won’t light up, mountain You won’t climb up, coming after me. There’s no wall You won’t kick down, lie You won’t tear down, coming after me.

This part of the song stands out to me the most. We all have had moments where we have strayed from God and his plans. Yet, no matter how many times we turn away, God is always right there with open arms, waiting to receive us. The imagery of the bridge is what amazes me. It describes a fierce and intense kind of love–Tearing through mountains, breaking down barriers, and exposing the “monsters” in our lives. That’s the reckless kind of love that God has. We just have to acknowledge Him, turn back towards God and run into those open arms.

The Message

There is so much to say about this song and the message Cory Asbury is sharing. Along with everything discussed previously, there is also the message of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). God won’t wait for us to reach Him. When He see’s that we have turned from our ways, He will also come running towards us. But keep in mind the work that He is doing in the background even when we aren’t in tune with Him–Paving his way past through the enemy’s tactics just to get to us.

God’s love is like no other. He fights for us each and every step of the way. This is the love He has continued to show us. Unconditional. Overwhelming. Never-ending. Reckless. His love is our standard, and as believers, we should be intentional in our pursuit to reach that standard.

Tag: prodigal

Letting Go

God’s Reckless Love