Day 22 - The Forest for the Trees

As a "church goer" of most of my life, I have heard may messages and many lessons on the latter of the three parables. However, 99% of them have been on the younger brother coming home. But the focus on the older brother made me take a look at some of my motives. I say this because, the older brother was upset because he was not getting "fair" treatment. What is fair treatment? He had a roof over his head, food on the table, a job and clothes. He may not have had any need, I am not sure. But he was so focused on himself and what he thought he was missing that he did not realize all the blessings he had. He could not see the forest for the trees.

What was he missing, we are asked? He was missing the Father's eyes and heart. Three times in the passage Jesus said, "There will be more rejoicing over one sinner who repents...." What does it take for us to gain the eyes and heart of the Father? Surrender and suffering. We have to step out of ourselves and step into our Father who is waiting. We have to be like the younger son. We have to be willing to come before our Father and say, "I have sinned against you and I am no longer worthy to be your son [or daughter] ", but will you still use me to further your Kingdom. Then we have to be (as my favorite musical group says), "put on our backpack and throw out [our] road maps!"