Between a mansion and a pigpen
Between a mansion and a pigpen
Luke 15:11-32/
In our text, we find the best of two worlds compared – opposites. If the choice was given, it would not be a hard one. But the difference is not always easily seen.
When did the thought first cross his mind? What would have made him leave? How bad could it have been so that he would so quickly trade the sheltered, soft life for – slop? What kind of loony son is this that would say, “Thanks for what is set before me on the table, but I much rather prefer mud wrestling pigs for my supper.”
No, it obviously didn’t start there. There is a lot more to it. How many friends and relatives do you have that at one time sat at the table of God’s goodness and then walked away from of it all so that they could get down with the hogs? Sometimes life gets complicated, and you don’t always get the prize you want in your happy meal, but don’t let disappointment send you down the wrong path.
Father, give me the goods that falleth to me. There was going to be a time when he would inherit all of his father’s possessions; in essence he was saying, “Father, I wish you were dead so I could get what I’ve got coming to me.”
Get out of sync and you may get into sin. When you start demanding God’s blessings on your terms, when you think you deserve things before it is time – it’s possible that you are taking a long walk off of a short pier – you could be venturing out on a limb that can’t hold you; and you may be unintentionally sawing off the branch you’re standing on.
We live in a society that has its hand out. There is a whole lot more talk about rights than there is about responsibilities. I deserve this, and I deserve this . . .
No, we are nothing without God, and God doesn’t owe us anything!
The Bible doesn’t tell us how old anybody was, but it’s obvious that the Father was still in control of the household and not on his deathbed. There was something going on that made the younger son decide that he could do things better his own way.
If he would have known . . .
The devil showed him the world’s best first
Like a cow leaning against the fence because of something on the other side . . .
At the beginning of his journey, things didn’t look too bad. He still felt the love of his father.
Our enemy’s tactics are to gradually lead away.
In the garden, the first move was to create doubt.
It is possible to be sincerely wrong – to try to live a godly live based on worldly principles.
Famine hit when everything was gone.
His position didn’t affect life in the mansion.
There is a difference between a traveler and a resident.
When slop looks good, something is wrong!
Finally, he came to himself. He remembered who he was. All the time his father was waiting.
Why didn’t the Father try to talk him out of it?
God will not hold you hostage against your will. In fact, anything that can be shaken will be shaken. If you can be offended, you will be offended. If you’re looking for an excuse – you’ll find one. Instead, we have to guard our heart, guard our eyes, guard our mouth. Sometimes you just have to say – “I’m not going there”.
I still vividly remember the details how verbally abusive I was capable of being as a young person. It took a few times of seeing mouths drop open and tears start to fall – I would think – what’s wrong with them?
Then – what did I just say? What did I just say?
When I am confronted with a situation where it looks like people are acting in an improper manner – I give them the benefit of the doubt. I memorized the Golden Rule – Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31 – Do unto others what you would have them do unto you. “Treat everybody else the way that you would like to be treated”.
For over 20 years, my interaction with others has been primarily with church people. I try to develop friendships outside the church, and I never want to lose touch with reality. But most of the people I deal with are at least trying to live a godly life. That is why some behavior is so shocking at first; but I have learned to bite my tongue. When I calm down and prayerfully look at what has been done or said – the great majority of time I come to a different conclusion. I know that they want to see God’s best in their life – they are not intentionally trying to be out of line.
Why didn’t the Father go looking for him?
God can only do so much; He respects our choices; how wonderful it is to have a conscience- to be able to determine right from wrong!
BUT How many never make it back?
How wonderful that he gives us a second chance!
What if He moves while we are out of range?
If we are not at the back door when He is calling, we will never hear.
God, let us see from your perspective. Help us to understand that it isn’t always easy growing up, and we don’t always get our way. Help us to trust Your plan. We must get in God’s realm!
John the Revelator saw pain, sorrow, rivers of blood, demons, and wrath being poured out – but in the end He saw the Lord on His throne!
What is attractive to you? What are your motives, and where are your priorities?
Is the slop and muck starting to look good?
*The Lord is like a man on top of a ridge that can see a man canoeing downstream. He can see around the next bend.
Spiritual acclimation – it is possible to get used to our environment. May we never settle for less than God’s best!