Life is about change

Life is about change. Not just any change though. Life is about changing the whole person. You can tell when a person is acting a part and you can tell when a person truly has been transformed from the inside out.

Luke 15:21-24 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring thee fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to celebrate.

There is something about struggle that elicits real and lasting change. It is like digging out the roots of a weed as opposed to just clipping it off. If you just clip it off it will grow back quickly. If you dig it out from the root it will be gone forever.

The lost son began as an arrogant and entitled brat. He squandered all his inheritance from his father and was left with nothing. He ended up working with pigs, an animal Jews despised as unclean. It was here, in the lowest of points, the young man's heart was changed. He saw in his mind's eye the results of his sin, poverty and suffering. He saw the love of his father to provide for him.

In this moment the root of pride and arrogance were dug up completely. His father did not have to yell at him and shame him. On the contrary, his father allowed him the freedom to take his inheritance and do with it what he wanted.

Upon his return the father showed the son how much he cherished him. The love of a father is as deep as the ocean.

There are moments in life when you will be at the bottom, like working with pigs. Maybe you squandered opportunity or maybe you didn't but the fact remains: this is the time to see your life for what it truly is. This is the time to allow your heart to be transformed by your Heavenly Father. He will rejoice at your return. And you will find home in his loving arms.