How He Loves Us

Message: Grace(part 1)-The Prodigal Son

Hey, everyone!  Sorry that I haven't posted in a while!  I was at a Christian camp, and there wasn't any service!

Anyway, I have a new message that my youth pastor gave a few months ago at a houseboats camp.  It was really important to me, and helped me a lot.  I hope it helps you as well!

This message is on grace.  I am the oldest sibling.  And for all you older siblings out there, you know that being the oldest is very hard.  You are the responsible one.  The one that does all the work without being asked.  The one that takes all the blame when something bad happens.  The one that is expected to do everything.  

Often your younger siblings take advantage of that.  They act lazy all the time.  They never do anything, while you're slaving away just to be kind and helpful.  When you try to get them to help the family, or do something good, they ignore you.  When you ask them to do something, they also ignore you.  You end up getting in trouble with your parents because you were suppose to "direct them."  Your parents tell you to "stop acting like a child and take leadership."  They tell you that "you will fail in life if you just follow others."  

You see them being lazy all the time.  You see them getting away with everything that you would never be able to get away with. You see them get rewarded for doing the simplest things- the things you do daily.  Meanwhile, you're slaving away, getting no reward or recognition.  You complain to you parents.  They tell you that you're being mean and inconsiderate.  They tell you that you should be glad that you don't have their problems.  They tell you that you should sympathize.  They don't understand.  Your younger siblings are hitting you.  Bullying you and verbally abusing you.  You're not allowed to tell your church.  But you do, because you're so desperate to get someone, anyone, to understand.

You see how much they get away with.  So you stop doing extra work.  You try to copy them in order to be able to have the easy life.  And what do your parents do?  They call you selfish.  They say that you aren't a Christian.  

If you feel this way, feel free to message me.  I know how this impacts your life, and your relationship with God.  And I know how much it can help to find someone who feels the same way as you.

My youth pastor told us this: "Grace is unfair, but all will be righted in the end."

He preached on the story of the Prodigal Son.  It is below, in NIV:

Luke 15: 11-32

11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons.12 The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

13 "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinnedagainst heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' 20 So he got up and went to his father.

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

25 "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So 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.'

28 "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But 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. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your propertywith 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. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"

Now, you may feel more like the older brother than the younger one.  You may feel like someone else is getting away with everything, while you're slaving away.  And you may feel very guilty about feeling this way.  

But I learned something on that trip.  Many people feel that way.  And it is okay to feel that way.  If you feel that way, know that you are not alone.  It will take a big weight off your shoulders, I promise.  

It helps to know that everything will be righted in the end.  All the unfair things that people get away with will be settled in the end.  So hang on.  Remember that you are not alone.  Talk to God, and fellow Christians.  Know that you are not cruel or selfish for feeling that way.  Remember that God loves you, and only wants the best for you.  Trust in him, and do not turn against him. 

I hope this message was helpful to you guys!  Thank you for all the support you show me!!  I hope that you have an amazing rest of your day, and that you remember to never let Him go!  God bless you!!

~anakinpadmeforlife :)

Dedicated to: Skywalker15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! arspnx, Ellimination_Rogers, and Ki_yomi