Always a big fan of Prodigal Son's story since I could see myself as the son who left home to pursue something else that I perceive is better than being with the Father. However no matter what I have done and how bad I think of myself after making the same mistakes, it is always comforting and relieving that I always have a home to go back to. Recently when I read the story again I found one important truth that makes me even more grateful to be called His son.
He was so hungry.. That brought him to his senses.. I’m going back to my father..
When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him.
From the story we can see that there is a huge difference between what makes us tick and what makes God tick. What moves us is our tummy which correlates to our needs, while what moves the Father is His heart which corresponds to love. If we think about it what drives us to think, to do, and to move is our desire to fulfill our needs. In the case of the prodigal son he was willing to go far, meaning humble himself to go back home and take a place of a servant, because he was hungry and he needed to eat. On the contrary what moves God is His love. Jesus was willing to go far and humble himself to be a servant and died on the cross because of His love for us. He didn't care about Himself and purely put us in His mind when He went through all the suffering. In the story the Father's heart was pounding over His coming back son. What drove Him to dress His son and prepare a feast for him is His desire to see His son restored by exchanging the shame and guilt with respect and honor.
Just like in the story, what makes me even more humbled is although I come back to Him for the wrong reason (to make myself feel better, to avoid punishment, or to get the answer to my prayer) God always welcomes me home for the right reason, for He is madly in love with me. He would do anything (He died on the cross, didn't He?), whatever it takes, to get His sons and daughters back home. Whatever it takes!! so we could be safe and well provided for rather than wandering somewhere begging for love and mercy from others just to survive. As much as we want to come back home for whatever reason it is, His desire to have us back in His arms is much greater. He wants us more than how much we want Him and He is perfectly okay with it.
If we have a Father like that we should be perfectly excited knowing that He wants it even more to answer our prayer, more than we want the answer of our prayer. He wants us to be happy, to feel loved and accepted, and to be delivered from the things destroying us in life. He wants us to receive the answer of our prayer despite of whatever motives behind that prayer (we are driven to pray because of our needs and needs could be deceiving). He still loves us and desires us to receive the fulfillment of our needs. However as love makes Him tick He does not want us to receive the exact answer to our prayer if that means it will bring us into trouble and suffering. His heart could not stand seeing us hurt due to our mistaken perception of what/who we need, when we need, and how it could satisfy us.
One day we went to a themepark (yes with roller coasters!!) and we were exploring the park like we used to (refer to previous post). When we were happily walking and enjoying the atmosphere Gide our son pointed to one roller coaster and told me: "Daddy I want to ride that car." At that time my heart sank. Not because I was afraid that my wife would strongly encourage me to accompany Gide on that ride but because I know that there is height restriction on the ride and there is no way Gide could ride that roller coaster without compromising with his safety. I was very sad knowing that he would be dissapointed (I had to say no to him inspite of his enthusiastic smile and sparkling eyes!!). However I could not even possibly forgive myself if I allow him on that ride and something happened to him. I would rather see him disappointed for a while rather than suffering the consequences of what he thinks he need at that moment. One day son, one day I will be so happy to be the one who tells you that you can ride those roller coaster and have the fun of your life. I will take picture of you from the bench I am sitting while attending your bag.
Trust His heart instead of your need. He knows what is best for His children. A No will open up to a Yes to something much better. No prayer is ever wasted in His presence.
He was so hungry.. That brought him to his senses.. I’m going back to my father..
When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him.
From the story we can see that there is a huge difference between what makes us tick and what makes God tick. What moves us is our tummy which correlates to our needs, while what moves the Father is His heart which corresponds to love. If we think about it what drives us to think, to do, and to move is our desire to fulfill our needs. In the case of the prodigal son he was willing to go far, meaning humble himself to go back home and take a place of a servant, because he was hungry and he needed to eat. On the contrary what moves God is His love. Jesus was willing to go far and humble himself to be a servant and died on the cross because of His love for us. He didn't care about Himself and purely put us in His mind when He went through all the suffering. In the story the Father's heart was pounding over His coming back son. What drove Him to dress His son and prepare a feast for him is His desire to see His son restored by exchanging the shame and guilt with respect and honor.
Just like in the story, what makes me even more humbled is although I come back to Him for the wrong reason (to make myself feel better, to avoid punishment, or to get the answer to my prayer) God always welcomes me home for the right reason, for He is madly in love with me. He would do anything (He died on the cross, didn't He?), whatever it takes, to get His sons and daughters back home. Whatever it takes!! so we could be safe and well provided for rather than wandering somewhere begging for love and mercy from others just to survive. As much as we want to come back home for whatever reason it is, His desire to have us back in His arms is much greater. He wants us more than how much we want Him and He is perfectly okay with it.
If we have a Father like that we should be perfectly excited knowing that He wants it even more to answer our prayer, more than we want the answer of our prayer. He wants us to be happy, to feel loved and accepted, and to be delivered from the things destroying us in life. He wants us to receive the answer of our prayer despite of whatever motives behind that prayer (we are driven to pray because of our needs and needs could be deceiving). He still loves us and desires us to receive the fulfillment of our needs. However as love makes Him tick He does not want us to receive the exact answer to our prayer if that means it will bring us into trouble and suffering. His heart could not stand seeing us hurt due to our mistaken perception of what/who we need, when we need, and how it could satisfy us.
One day we went to a themepark (yes with roller coasters!!) and we were exploring the park like we used to (refer to previous post). When we were happily walking and enjoying the atmosphere Gide our son pointed to one roller coaster and told me: "Daddy I want to ride that car." At that time my heart sank. Not because I was afraid that my wife would strongly encourage me to accompany Gide on that ride but because I know that there is height restriction on the ride and there is no way Gide could ride that roller coaster without compromising with his safety. I was very sad knowing that he would be dissapointed (I had to say no to him inspite of his enthusiastic smile and sparkling eyes!!). However I could not even possibly forgive myself if I allow him on that ride and something happened to him. I would rather see him disappointed for a while rather than suffering the consequences of what he thinks he need at that moment. One day son, one day I will be so happy to be the one who tells you that you can ride those roller coaster and have the fun of your life. I will take picture of you from the bench I am sitting while attending your bag.
Trust His heart instead of your need. He knows what is best for His children. A No will open up to a Yes to something much better. No prayer is ever wasted in His presence.
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