My mind lately has been on the prodigals I know; especially as I consider the brevity of time.
I was once a prodigal myself.
I heard the gospel and accepted Christ as my Lord and Saviour at age 12, but turned away not long after. I was not raised in a Christian home and did not have a firm foundation. I read the bible and did not understand it. I prayed and could not discern an answer. And, although what I heard about the gospel in church rang true to my ears, I did not fully grasp it.
I also did not feel any different and I expected to, based on the testimonies of other believers in the church. Eventually, what I observed of the church led me to believe that they weren’t changed either. And that led me to believe that the faith was not real – that Christians were people who were trying to be good and do good but were not changed in a spiritual or supernatural way as described in the bible. And so, I walked away.
Yet, He did not leave or forsake me. Twenty years later, He brought me back to Himself.
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Luke 19:10
He sent a Christian who displayed a genuine faith which was apparent in his joy. I met him at work, and I was at this job for only a few months. After I left, he reached out and said that God told him that I was someone he should minister to because I needed to be saved. We became friends and, many years later, during a time of great stress he came to mind and I reached out to him. I shared what was going on and told him that I felt like I needed a vacation. He replied that no, what I really need is peace and rest, and that I will only find that in Jesus Christ. So, I cried out to Him for help, and discovered for myself that He is indeed real.
I remember all of this with deep gratitude and feel compelled to pray that He would also draw other prodigals home to Himself.
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.
John 6:44
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
Process and products used
I created these journaling pages in my faith journal which is a basic, blank, A5 notebook. I used a mix of elements by Illustrated Faith including @kristina.proffitt latest printable “Ever-Present Help” for the digital Print Pray Shop.
The journaling is mostly verses to reflect on the topic of Jesus seeking and saving those who God calls to Himself. The lines are so that I can write in their names and my prayers later on.
Be encouraged
🎶 Power To Save ~ Hillside Recording, Diana Trout
He’s moving the mountains, He’s parting the waves
It’s already finished; He conquered the grave
He’s waking the sleeper, He’s freeing the slave
No other name has the power to save
I think prodigals are intentionally placed in our lives so that we can understand the heart of the Father better. We get to see what it’s like when people we care for are disobedient. When they make poor choices. When they turn away from what truly satisfies.
We have to be a shining example to them of what it means to be in genuine relationship with God. To walk in truth ourselves. To be unwavering in our faith when the troubles come. To prove that we believe He is the answer.
We also have to love them by standing firmly in truth while showing grace because we understand their struggle. We love them by going to the Father on their behalf. Only He can save.
