The Prodigal Son Syndrome
Read Luke 15: 11-32
Key Verse:
“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. ” (15:20b-21)
Through the story of the Prodigal Son, I discovered a disease that over 50% of the Christian population is currently affected by.
The Symptoms. Living for the moment, low esteem, fake smiles, not reading your Bible, going to church becomes a chore, misery, hatred, selfishness, and the act of falling away and turning your back on He who loves you more than anything. The ONE that loves you so much that he sent His Son to die for your sins.
It’s called the “Prodigal Son Syndrome”. Don’t worry, before you freak out… There is A cure.
The Cure. My favorite part of the whole parable is when the son finally returns home and his father runs to him. I love this part of the story because it demonstrates the father’s Mercy, Love, and Forgiveness towards his son. The son deserves nothing, but the father showers him with graciousness. This is a picture of how God, our Father, meets us with Mercy, Love, and Forgiveness when we have been on the wrong path and finally return back to Him. God is ready to show abundant mercy, love and forgiveness to us. We just have to come home.
The Success Rate. I have been a prodigal daughter before in my walk with the Lord Jesus. It’s not fun to admit, but I was the girl that didn’t care what anyone had to say, I was doing what I wanted to do. My life was centered on popularity, looks, boys, materials, and the standards of this world. I was a fake. I was so miserable and I had nothing and no one. I had slowly faded away from God. I was the “Slow Fade” in the Casting Crowns song. Then one day I realized that I wasn’t doing something right and I knew what it was. I couldn’t fight what God wanted for me anymore. I thought He would never love me after all the messing up I did, but just like the Father in the story, He ran and met me with open arms full of FORGIVENESS, LOVE, and MERCY. I encourage you this week to evaluate where you are in your walk. Are you a “Slow Fade”? Are you suffering from the “Prodigal Son Syndrome”? Do you believe He Forgives you? Remember that not everyone gets a second chance. Turn Back to Him Today! He loves you, forgives you, and wants you to be His.
