The greatest obstacle to being handicapped--or challenged, or disabled or whatever label we may be using this year--is not the condition but the stigma society still associates with it. The truth is we are valuable because of who we are, not because of how we look or what we accomplish. That applies to all of us, the disabled and the temporarily able-bodied alike. I'm convinced God didn't turn His back at the moment of Jeff's conception. He is still the God of miracles, but in this instance, the one who received healing was me. Our Lord is still in the business of changing lives, but not always in the ways we expect. Several years ago, Jeff played in a special Little League for kids with disabilities. After many seasons of watching from the bleachers and rooting while his big brother played ball, Jeff's opportunity finally arrived. When he received his uniform, he couldn't wait to get home to put it on.  When he raced out from his bedroom, fully suited up, he announced to me, "Mom, now I'm a real boy!" Though his words pushed my heart to my throat, I assured him he had always been a "real boy." Carlene Mattson, Focus on the Family, April, 1993, p. 13.

 

 

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The story of the Prodigal Son is familiar to us because it illustrates God’s willingness to forgive us when we turn from our sin – which is the true definition of repentance. The son had everything anyone could want – except inner peace. He had wealth, the promise of a big inheritance, a wonderful home, and the love of a family. He even had servants!

 

But… inside him was a dream, a restlessness, that kept true joy away from him. Like many of us today, he did not appreciate what he had! The scriptures teach us that “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

 

As soon as he was old enough to ask for his inheritance he did so. The father reluctantly gave it to him – just as God sometimes reluctantly gives us the freedom to do things that He knows will not work out for us!

 

Off he went to enjoy his new-found freedom and the pleasure that spending money brings. A person that likes to party and spend money on friends will attract a lot of people, so before long the rich young man was mighty poor! In fact, he wound up in poverty, slopping hogs just to get enough money to buy food – which had gotten expensive because of a down-turn in the economy!

 

When you get to that point in life you have two choices. Surrender to your desperate situation and commit suicide – either physically or through drugs – or go back home and repent!

 

The Prodigal Son had an older brother – and as we will learn, the older brother had a critical spirit. Without doubt as our hero starts back home he imagines all of the things his brother will say and do. However, hunger and true humility will overcome a lot of obstacles! So he kept on moving, repeating over and over, “Father, I have sinned and am no longer worthy of being your son. Please just let me be one of your servants.”

 

Much to his surprise the dad was waiting for the son and quickly restored him to son-ship! That, my friends, is what God wants to do for you today if you have strayed from Him. Please, do not hang back!

 

In the book of James we read, “In many ways we all stumble.” In 1^st John 1 we discover that Christians sin. Josh Billings notes, “It is much easier to repent of sins that we have committed than to repent of those we intend to commit.” 

                                                      

Our self-concept is vitally important… we all like to “fit in” to be like everyone else. Elizabeth Elliot, in her book Let Me Be a Woman, records the story of Gladys Aylward, who was unable to accept the looks God had given her.  Ms. Aylward told how when she was a child she had two great sorrows. One, that while all her friends had beautiful golden hair, hers was black. The other, that while her friends were still growing, she had stopped. She was about four feet ten inches tall. But when at last she reached the country to which God had called her to be a missionary, she stood on the wharf in Shanghai and looked around at the people to whom He had called her. "Every single one of them" she said, "had black hair. And every one of them had stopped growing when I did." She was able to look to God and exclaim, "Lord God, You know what You're doing!"

 

One of the concerns that many conservative Christian leaders have today is that many church members do not really let Jesus Christ be their Lord as well as their Savior. Patrick Morley writes that the church's integrity problem is in the misconception "that we can add Christ to our lives, but not subtract sin. It is a change in belief without a change in behavior." He goes on to say, "It is revival without reformation, without repentance."  Quoted by C. Swindoll; John The Baptizer, Bible Study Guide, p. 16.

If being a Christian does not make us like Christ, we are not Christians! We must walk away from the bondage of Satan and his lusts; we must return to God through prayer, even though we will still face fears and discouragement. I enjoy watching good football and basketball games because a good team never gives up! Many games are won in the last few seconds!

Another concern that this scripture brings out is, “Do I ever act like the older brother?” Do I ask the Father why He blesses those who have walked away from God then return?

Yes, we must not give new converts too many responsibilities too soon. But we must love them, accept them, and forgive them. Like tender young plants in the spring they need to be cultivated with love and in love!

To understand true Christianity we are wise to “consider the presence of Jesus.” Jesus made a powerful impact everywhere He went. People were converted, fed by the thousands, healed of diseases, raised from the dead, the blind could see, and the lame could walk.

Yet many people rejected Him and argued with Him at every opportunity.

Why? Some believed; some refused to believe! It’s that simple! It was their choice either way.

Another way to consider it is this. If Jesus walked into a room were people would be working or visiting, what would they feel? Would they feel loved, or rejected; would they feel peace or fear?

If the governor of our state walked in this morning, would we feel honored or rejected? If the OSU basketball team walked in, would we not be excited?

Now, let’s personalize it. Let’s assume you are entering a board meeting for an organization you work for. You enter just before the meeting is to begin. Ask yourself, “What response would I want those present to have when they see me walk in?”

Having thought this over for the past few days, here is my goal. I want them to think, “O good! Leon is here! I know that he loves us and wants what is best for us.”

The people that received miracles from Jesus saw Him that way. The people that did not want to change their lives grew angry at Him.

The obvious conclusion is that we cannot let others judge us or set our expectations. We need to know who we are and allow God’s Spirit to operate in and through us!

The Prodigal Son said, “I will arise!” In other words, he had made a decision! He was turning from his sinful life – which means he was repenting for his sins. He knew that it was time to take charge of his attitude and his life.

Even as Christians, we need to occasionally say, “I will arise!” We get into ruts, always thinking and acting the same way, even if we know it irritates others. Now is the time to stop it! Now is the time for us to become all that God has called us to be!

If the Prodigal Son had acted in remorse instead of repentance I believe that the end results would have been different. The father would have responded like the older brother did!

Just as the Prodigal Son returned home, the man in this story returned to God, and it was a life-changing event! Do you need such an event today? God is waiting.

Pastor Leon