Today’s post is penned by my fellow Phoenix writer Chad Jones, aka Randomly Chad. It is in a sense a response to my last post about forgiveness. I love it when I connect with a fellow writer’s words, and they inspire me. It’s also amazing when the opposite happens, like this post. Here’s a little more info on my friend Chad, in his own words.
Hi! I’m Chad. Sometimes I’m serious, sometimes I’m silly–hence the moniker, “Randomly Chad.” I live in Arizona with my awesome wife, Lisa, 2 great kids, and 2 dogs (they are not my dogs–they are my kids’ dogs). I work professionally in IT, but don’t talk about that much, because the scope of my interests is much broader than that (though I may share a funny story from time-to-time). That said, I am pretty much an Apple fanboy.
If you like what you hear below, please check out his blog. It’s one of my favorites, you won’t regret it. Without further ado, here are some of Chad’s thoughts on the parable of the prodigal son:
The Prodigal Son. The story of a young man who received his inheritance, and promptly wasted it on a profligate lifestyle. He squandered his blessings on wine, women, and song. He at least finally came to his senses, there in the hog pen, and decided to go home.
Thinking all the while that he was no longer worthy to be called his father’s son. What he failed to account for is that once a name is given it cannot be taken away.
Meaning that just because we sin does not mean we are no longer a part of the family. Does this mean we should sin? As Paul said, “God forbid.”
What it means is that we, like the Prodigal Son before, serve a God Who runs. Make no mistake: His love is always there, but somehow when we turn around (repent) God gallops to us with arms wide open. Even when we still have the stench of hog on us.
Even so, when we have been forgiven, healed, restored, how is that we turn to living like the Prodigal Son’s brother? He groused that he was never likewise celebrated, and moreover judged his brother’s shameful life. Yet feasting was all the while available to him–had he but asked.
How does this happen to us? Once having been forgiven, we detour to that place which tells us we are not worthy, not noticed, that having been given all the riches of the kingdom, these things are somehow unavailable.
Yet we see that our brother has been feasted, and we seethe with anger, hatred, jealousy. It seems that our hearts are as dark as deem his deeds. We had not moved away from the Father geographically, but rather internally.
Yet all outward signs point to everything being just fine. It would be better if we were the Prodigal, knowing our depths, than to be in such close proximity to the Father, and his riches, knowing not that we are all the while loved.
Chad, thanks for sharing your words here today. Very challenging for me, as I too waver between the prodigal and his brother.
A beautiful reminder, Chad. Thank you!
Chad,
“It seems that our hearts are as dark as deem his deeds. We had not moved away from the Father geographically, but rather internally.”
Yes, not only had we moved away internally, but as you said we harbor resentment, and jealousy at those who do enjoy what God has provided for all of us. I am trying to break a chain from my family. Enjoying life. Feeling punished most of my life I find even with those oppressors gone, I had taken their place and continued on in pushing myself down, telling myself the things they used to say. And the fact I have known the Lord for YEARS, still doesn’t reflect this lie I still coddle.
Good post, Chad. Thanks.
So true. Even when we’re away from those people, out of those situations, we still live those places in our heads and hearts. I’m learning that change is mostly extrinsic, i.e., things we do, or are done to/around us; however, transition is intrinsic–it’s that mental, that heart, shift that needs to take place. It’s not easy changing those tapes in our heads when the world, the flesh, and the devil (who knows our stories) keep reminding us of who we
arewere.Thanks for reading!
You’re welcome, Chris! Thanks for having me. Me, too! I write right where I’m at.
That is a good point Chad. Changing the mental tapes is so hard, particularly when our circumstances feel unchanging.
Anne, it is always surprising to me how quickly resentment settles into my heart, and how hard it is to root it out.
i love the prodigal story because of how truly deep it is. and, really, when we dig deeper into the story, nobody is more prodigal than god – he’s absolutely crazy with his love for us.
good words, my friend!
Thanks, Tim! Truly–the Prodigal God is He.
Isn’t so true we live in this tension of what Paul talked about. Those things I wish I didn’t do, I do. Those things I wish I did do I don’t. But in spite of where we are God runs to us as you’ve said with open arms. I’m more excited about grace each day. It’s beats the hell out of judgement. God give me grace daily so I can share it with others.
Amen, Troy! Amen! God give me the grace to share grace. Good words, man.
Every single day I feel like this—I do exactly what I don’t want to do. Grace is pretty sweet
And it’s pretty simple but oh so powerful. Sometimes we dismiss it. But God doesn’t because that is who He is. And thank God He never dimisses us.
I’ll take 2 scoops of His wonderful grace each day forget the raison post.