The Father's Love

Every parent wants the best for their children. They have dreams and expectations that they hope their child would grow and fulfil. They envisaged their child growing up to be someone who would make a difference in this world, in a positive way. Their love for the child is not based on what the child can do for them but the mere fact that he/she was born. In him lies the reflection of their love. The birth of a child is one of the greatest gifts that God has given to humanity.

In Luke 15:11–12 (KJV 1900) Jesus told a story of a parent who had two sons.

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

The individuals were not given names, but the story resonates with us today. This young man wanted his inheritance. He figured he could do better that the father. It is better to take it now than for the father to use it all up and in the end, he would have nothing. Besides why should he have to wait until the father is deceased, who knows when that will be anyway.

The young man echoed the impatience of many individuals. He had no time to wait.

Everything must be given now!

Done now!

He had no consideration for the for his papa who had brought him up through the years.

Fed him.

Clothed him,

Provided for him.

All this was taken for granted as something he had a duty to do.

What about you?

Have you considered the love your parents have for you?

Have you considered the love your children have for you?

Your husband?

Your Wife?

Your girlfriend?

Your boyfriend?

the sacrifices made

the Opportunities lost

the Time invested on your behalf:?

There are two ways you can view what is done on your behalf.

Either it is done out of love or because of some other reason.

If we view the favour that is shown us as being done out of duty then our perspective of the giver is different than if we consider that it was done because the person loves us.

How we end the statement:

My wife cooks for me because ….

My husband brings me gifts because …

My child obeys me because …

My parents provide for me because …

How we complete each sentence says much about our relationship with that person.

We must be able to confess with our lips-

My parents love me,

My Children love me

My girlfriend loves me

My boyfriend loves me.

If we cannot acknowledge the love others have for us. How can we acknowledge the love God has for us.

The God who gives

The sunshine

The rain

The ability to walk

To talk

To reason, to think, to create.

Do We figure that these are all a given,

We are entitled to them?

Do we take them for granted as if God had a duty to provide us with them?

Or do we recognize them as gifts of love!

The young man in our story never give thought to the love the father had bestowed upon him: He took it all for granted. Note that Jesus is taking his time to paint a picture of the character of the young man:

The story continues :

Luke 15:13–14 (KJV 1900)

13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

He organized himself, and as soon as he could he left from his father’s presence. He could not live the life he wanted with his father around. He decided to go into a distant country where he did not have to answer to the father. He did not have to look into his father’s eyes and account for his behaviour. The bible says that he wasted his substance in riotous living.

Oh yea, He partied, he drank, he forgot about the Sabbath and violated its precepts. He was enjoying himself.

The women loved him,

His pals used him and

He immersed in it all.

The news was out, a country boy had come to town with money to spend. All types of people joined themselves to him. He was getting all the attention his soul desired. As far he was concerned, he was a happy man. This was the life!

How are about you?

Have you moved away from God to live your life?

Are you tired of Christian constraints?