God is always there with open arms. Are you though?

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.’”

Luke 31-32 NIV

Yes, I’m sure we’ve all heard the story about the prodigal son, but stood out the most to you? The part where the older brother was upset about his younger brother coming home and being treated like royalty stood out to me. Yes, it may sound selfish, but really you would feel the same way. You were always there for your parent when they needed you, you didn’t spend your inheritance on foolish things, but you pretty much did everything right and then still get treated like the least.

Have you been in that situation before? it can be heard right? how did you react to this situation

In this parable, the father rejoices when his son comes back because he was dead and now is alive: he was lost, but now he is found. His brother was in sin and outliving a reckless life, which is known in our time as the best life until everything you have is gone.

When the younger was outliving his “best life" after he realized that everything he had was gone, he felt empty. He came to a realization and no longer wanted to live in sin anymore. At some point in life, we will get tired of living in sin, when we are living a life for Christ. We will have this urge to only do the will of God. Just like the younger son, he had a mind full of regret and wanted to return home to his father. Honestly, I think the father knew that the younger son would mess up. However, he still welcomed him with open arms.

As Christians, we can be quick to judge our brother or sister, especially in a situation like this. However, when someone is going through their sinful stage/dark times we should be there. I bet you not one time did his brother call to check on him or vice versa. The older brother was so caught up in his own desires, he didn’t think about his brother. Which he had the right too, but our Christian duties are to be there for our brothers or sisters when they are lost.

We all will go through our dark times if you haven’t yet, I’m sure you will. And guess what God will still be there to welcome you with open arms. Just as the father had a feast when his lost son was found, so will God. You know the verse that says, there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. Just imagine how happy that makes God when you turn back to him. He would never push you away because He loves you! We are His children, and he would never leave nor forsake us. However, we will go through things but just remember his promises.

Prayer,

Lord, I thank you for everything. I thank you for loving me in my time of selfishness and sins. God, I know that you're a forgiven God but help to forgive just as you have forgiven us. Help me to love my brothers and sister as you have loved us. Please lead and guide me in the way you would have me to go. Help me turn away from my wicked sins, and Lord will we mindful to give you all the praise and glory.