Christian Living

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How many of you have ever wished for a second chance? For some of us, we have done some pretty stupid things we would like to take back and try to make right. I can think of many things just today that I wish I could take back. I watched the hurt of my daughter when I was in the wrong and yelled at her anyway. Sure I apologized but had I kept my mouth shut, it could have been avoided.

The story of the Prodigal Son is the story about all of us. Way back in Sunday school, we learned that Jesus told us the story of a man who decided that he didn’t want to work for his father anymore and demanded his share of the inheritance. It was time to see the world.

We have all been there. Before we are out of high school we are ready to move out and see the world, to prove to all that we can make it on our own whether we are ready for it or not. In our stubborn and rebellious ways we demand our freedom often times hurting the ones we love the most. We get our things together and split, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.

The Prodigal was no different. I often wonder what the conversation between He and his father would have been like. We know how it ended, he had his money and he took off for the big city, miles away. He was going to make it. Never again would he have to do back breaking work. Why, he could be a movie star or a great novelist.

I am going to make it my way. God, I don’t need you anymore. Thank you for what you have done for me in the past but I think that I can handle it now. I will go and prove to you that I can make it on my own. Sound familiar?

Who needs God when there is a chance we could win Powerball? Who needs God’s rules when we are dating the hottest girl or guy? So what if he or she isn’t Godly, their just HOT! I don’t need or have any desire for what God might have to offer me anymore.

Ah, the good life. I’ve got a great job making serious money and I have so many friends I can’t count them all. They like me for who I am, not for what I’ve got.

That was the life of the Prodigal. He was thrilled at the lifestyle he had created for himself. Life in the fast lane was the life for him.

Unfortunately the ride can only last so long before the car runs out of gas. When the money was gone, so was everything else.

Where do you turn when it all runs out? To God? Of course not. Our pride won’t let us. I don’t need to ask for help or a handout. I can still do it on my own. I’ll show you!

We try desperately to make it on our own only to fall on our face. Sure we got a job but it isn’t enough to survive on. Your so called friends that you borrowed money from are now the evil collectors hounding you every second of the day, like vultures, they are never satisfied. There is no peace or happiness. Your days are filled with stress; your nights are filled with worry and pain. Where can you go, where can you hide?

When the Prodigal was starving feeding the pigs, the Bible says that “He came to his senses.” For the first time in many years he thought about his father and how his servants were treated far better than he. With what little strength he had left, he started out on the long journey home.

How about you? Have you looked at your circumstances and “came to your senses?” Is it time to gather up what strength you have left and begin your long journey home? Do you need a second chance at life?

Jesus told us in Matthew 11: 28, “Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

The path back to righteousness isn’t the easiest one to take. We are filled with self-doubt and many times we talk ourselves out of returning home. “God can never forgive me, I’ve done too many bad things.”

Yet Jesus still says, “Come.”

While the prodigal was still a long way off, his father saw him and RAN to him. Sprinted would probably be a better word. “My son who was dead, Is now alive. He was lost and now is found.” Great joy and jubilation broke out all over the farm because his son had come home.

As soon as you take that first step back, God will run to meet you where you are. He was waiting all along for you to turn back to him. All the hosts of heaven are now rejoicing over you for you were lost and now you are found.

If you need a second chance with God today, don’t wait any longer. Take that first step back to the creator before it’s too late. The longer you listen to the lies of pride and self-pity, the longer it will take for you to return to your first love. No matter where you are take a minute or two and repent. Do it now, tomorrow may be too late.

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