scripture and prayer reflection
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Lyrics
I went the ways of wayward winds
In a world of trouble and sin
Walked a long and crooked mile
Behind a million rank and file
Forgot where I came from
Somewhere back when I was young
I was a good man’s child
‘Cause I lost some nameless things
My innocence flew away from me
She had to hide her face from my desire
To embrace forbidden fire
But at night I dream
She’s singing over me
Oh, oh, my child
Come on home, home to me
And I will hold you in my arms
And joyful be
There will always, always be
A place for you at my table
Return to me
Wondering where I might begin
Hear a voice upon the wind
She’s singing faint but singing true
Son, there ain’t nothing you can do
But listen close and follow me
I’ll take you where you’re meant to be
Just don’t lose faith
So I put my hand upon the plow
Wipe the sweat up from my brow
Plant the good seed along the way
As I look forward to the day
When at last I see
My Father run to me
Singing oh, my child
Come on home, home to me
And I will hold you in my arms
And joyful be
There will always, always be
A place for you at my table
Return to me
My child
Come on home, home to me
And I will hold you in my arms
And joyful be
There will always, always be
A place for you at my table
At my table, at my table
Return to me
Luke 15:11-24
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
2 Timothy 2:20-22
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Reflection
The story of the prodigal son is one of Jesus’ best-known parables, filled with hope and reproof - hope for all of us who like the younger son have turned away from our Father to pursue selfish desires, and as with the older son, reproof for the pride that so often creeps in during our seasons of faithfulness. There are many striking aspects of this story, but none more so perhaps than the father’s warm and eager reception of the younger son’s return.
Identifying with the prodigal younger son, the songwriter laments the evil that has come from chasing after his own distorted desires. He personifies his lost innocence as a woman calling him back to his real home, much like how Wisdom in the book of Proverbs calls out to those passing by on the street (Prov 1:20-23). The words of personified innocence then become the call of the father, who is ever inviting his wayward children in, desiring them to be restored.
While relational restoration with God occurs in a moment, restoration of innocence and righteous habits takes time. The singer reflects on the necessity of effort and striving in the pursuit of bearing good fruit. Our salvation is unaffected by our efforts - it is always and solely based on Christ’s efforts, not ours. However, through the power of the Spirit, we get to play a role in pursuing spiritual growth with God. We get to, using the metaphor the singer employs, sow good seed, and wait to see what God grows in our lives.
Take some time to reflect on your own life. Where have you been chasing your own desires instead of God’s? What would it look like to turn to God in that area of life? How do you believe He would greet your returning back to Him? If fear of disappointment or judgment come up, reflect on the father’s response in the parable. What effort or striving can you make, not to earn salvation or any sort of spiritual “brownie points”, but to pursue righteousness and be of use in building God’s kingdom?
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