Beautiful People, 

Last year, I had the privilege of visiting my father in Zambia for Christmas. After 25 years, I was back home. Our time in Zambia was short, so we took each opportunity to visit nostalgic places and see old family friends. Once we returned to my father's house, I felt like a stranger—a stranger who had a subconscious desire to ask for permission to do anything. My father noticed and said, "I am your father; what is mine is yours. Relax, you are home." This sentiment fluttered my heart with peace and reminded me of my walk with my Heavenly Father. The dissonance of living a Christian life while doubting the Father's love is painful and analogous to the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son.

For most readers, the focal point of this parable is the relationship between the prodigal son and the father; however, denying the older brother's disposition and response to the reconciliatory narrative devalues the parable. The father's character, words, and actions reveal his son's perceptions of the father's love. The prodigal son perceives his father as generous and forgiving. He states, "'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants" (Luke 15:17-19, ESV). The prodigal has faith in his father's generous spirit; however, there is doubt, hence the reluctance to be reinstated as a son. This reluctance was mixed with humility and a painful realization that his sins disqualified him from sonship. Again, this was his perception. Unfortunately, Christians distrust God's love due to their sins.

The question that keeps us up at night is, "Am I still welcome in the Father's house, and if not, can I work for His approval?" This sentiment is not dissimilar to the older brother's response once he discovers that the prodigal is reinstated as a son. In anger, he states, 'Look, these years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him" (Luke 15:29-30, ESV). The older brother, much like the prodigal, misunderstands the love of the father and turns his sonship into a legalistic relationship.

My dear friends, the Father calls you to come home and relax in His presence, whether you are a prodigal or an older brother. Not only does He call those who believe they are not worthy, but He also calls those who think they are worthy because both groups need a better and deeper understanding of the Father's heart. God's grace invites us to know Him and enjoy a more profound and intimate relationship with Him. God calls you and me to take delight in Him. 
How can we do this? Our perceptions of God need to meet the reality of God. Through prayer, Scripture, and the involvement of a Christian community, we can unlearn negative assumptions of God and learn of His beautiful heart and nature. So, put your sin and anger aside and allow God's love to reconstruct your heart. You are not a servant, so your self-justification is not needed. Through faith, you are justified and sanctified by Christ. Rest and live in that. Here is the tricky part: we must "do unto others what" God has done for us. Find the prodigals and older brothers in your lives and show them the true heart of the Father.