.lost and found.

Today = Luke 15 + Genesis 27:1-45 + Psalm 20

Today's reading from Luke is ridiculously famous, in both Christian and secular culture. The parable of the lost son is referred to often, but I've been hearing it more frequently and in new contexts lately. Back at Hope CC in Minnesota, the last sermon I heard before I left was on exactly this passage. Bart Carey was speaking, and he told of how we are all either the older or younger son, or a bit of both. The youngest son is foolish, selfish, and squanders all that he has. The older son is a judgmental, jealous, and selfish as well. I can definitely relate with both, unfortunately. It's easy as a 'veteran' Christian (if there is such a thing) to become bitter or angry toward those that have gone astray, just like the younger son. We just can't be happy and celebrate them coming back or making any headway. As the younger son I find it so easy to want to live for the moment and make instantly fun, but eternally stupid decisions. God welcomes those that have abandoned him back, which makes no sense. That's grace. It really doesn't make any sense at all, practically speaking. So I understand the older son complaining when the younger son receives gifts and celebration upon returning. But the father says this:

"'My Son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." (Luke 15:31-32)

Truly God will welcome us back with open arms when we make stupid decisions and run away from him. But when we are back in his arms, we need to make sure we are loving of those who have just come back, the lost who have been found again. That is definitely something I need to work on.