My brother Lockley and his family, who live in Phoenix AZ
ThinkJump Journal
The blog of Kim Gentes. A place where you will find articles on worship, family, technology, church, music, and art. We promise nothing. But try to never deliver.
kinda cool!
Our very own ThinkJump Journal was just named the "Best of the Best" in online blogs from Worship Leader Magazine. Got our little patch of niceness from the good folks at WL Mag sitting right here.
Of course, check out the site yourself and find something useful before giving us your approval. But if you dig anything your find around here, be sure to leave a comment (good or negative!). It's your feedback and comments that make our site rich!
Life is often referred to analogously as a journey. This imagery has held true in great literature from "The Pilgrim's Progress" to "The Road Not Taken" (Poem by Robert Frost) to Psalm 23 ("though I walk through the valley...") and even to Jesus parable of "The Good Samaritan". The path we take in life is a marker of both the choices we will come to, and the history of choices we have made. Among all the great works of art and literature that reflect life's journey on a path, none is as riveting and poignant as Jesus parable we often call "The Prodigal Son".
In the deepest sense, this parable speaks to all people. It is God the Father's call to humanity to return to him. But in a very personal sense, this parable reminds us that the way back from any broken relationship has two primary elements - contrition and humility. Let's read the portion of the parable that deals with the road home for this prodigal.
"That brought him to his senses. He said, 'All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. I'm going back to my father. I'll say to him, Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.' He got right up and went home to his father.
"When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.'
"But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, 'Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to have a wonderful time.
(Luke 15:17-24 - The Message)
Countless teachings have been done on this parable, but I simply want to highlight one element of the process of reconciliation that was squarely within the prodigal son's realm of responsibility. The son had to come to the point of contrition about his own lostness, his own lack, and his offense against both God and others (his father, in this case). On doing that, he also made a conscious decision to consider himself less than he truly was in order to find his way back to his father. This is an obvious reversal of the pride that led him away from home in the first place.
This teaches us two things about reconciling with others.
Contrition - First, if we are not yet ready to admit our own error and wrong relatedness to a relationship, there is little chance of reconciliation. The son saw this and responded with admission and contrition.
Humility - Second, we must be willing to humble ourselves if we hope to actually restore relationship. Contrition will be little more than a verbal apology if it is not followed by humility. Humility is an action that re-engages the possibility of relationship by saying "your friendship is more important than my rights".
Are you wondering how to start the journey to reconciliation with someone? I encourage you to consider reading the parable of the Prodigal Son. Ask God to reveal practical steps for you to take that you see in the parable. I pray that you will find not only revelation and encouragement from the scriptures, but guidance as you look for restoration in relationships. May God grant you his love and wisdom in all your relationships as you endeavor to find your road home.
In the spirit journeying, I have included a video of a scenic drive, accompanied by a musical soundscape that you may find encouraging as you think and pray about your own road home with relationships in your life. I hope you enjoy it. (I encourage you to watch this in "Original" or 1080HD mode, and in full screen- or if you have a triple monitor system to watch it in 3 screen mode- 720p for each screen x 3)
Jesus,