Acting or Reacting
Scripture – Luke 15:25-27: 25“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
Reflection: Now here’s a little challenge. Take this little snapshot from this larger story and put yourself into it. If I’m the older son, how will I react to this situation? What options do I have?
I could rejoice and run and join the party. I’ve watched people waste a lot of life’s resources. It’s easy to shake my head and figure they deserve to be where they are. In essence, it’s easy to write them off. But the father is really the star of this story. He’s the one who’s lost the most – including half of his estate. And he’s the one putting on the party because none of that matters. He’s looking ahead. He’s grateful and happy to have his son back home.
Now as the older son, I could also get my nose out of joint. First of all, why am I finding out from one of the servants? And why are there no consequences for my younger brother? It seems like he’s being rewarded for wasting everything.
Which perspective would I choose? I’ll pay attention this week. For I’m faced with these kind of choices more than I realize. As I come upon different situations, will I be an actor or a reactor?
An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.
Reading for Sunday, May 24
Scripture – Luke 15:28-32: 28“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Reflection: Now here’s a little challenge. Take this little snapshot from this larger story and put yourself into it. If I’m the older son, how will I react to this situation? What options do I have?
I could rejoice and run and join the party. I’ve watched people waste a lot of life’s resources. It’s easy to shake my head and figure they deserve to be where they are. In essence, it’s easy to write them off. But the father is really the star of this story. He’s the one who’s lost the most – including half of his estate. And he’s the one putting on the party because none of that matters. He’s looking ahead. He’s grateful and happy to have his son back home.
Now as the older son, I could also get my nose out of joint. First of all, why am I finding out from one of the servants? And why are there no consequences for my younger brother? It seems like he’s being rewarded for wasting everything.
Which perspective would I choose? I’ll pay attention this week. For I’m faced with these kind of choices more than I realize. As I come upon different situations, will I be an actor or a reactor?
An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.
Reading for Sunday, May 24
Scripture – Luke 15:28-32: 28“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
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