Looking for love in all the wrong places...

He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. (Luke 15:16)

A lot of times we try to put God’s life lessons in a little box. Well God’s love is too big for this world so you gotta know it won't fit in your box.

Take for instance the prodigal son. Many of us are quick to say what we would never just run off and squander away our inheritance. We tend to look at the parable literally. Instead of digging into the spiritual implications.

We think that because we didn't leave home or because we didn't demand anything of our parents but the freedom to leave...that we aren't prodigals.

But many of us truly are.

Our misconceptions...and our addictions to instant and self gratification...have us clinging to what the world insists are the keys to success:

• Accumulation of wealth & power
• Attainment of status & admiration
• Lavish consumption of food & drink
• Sexual gratification

These addictions create expectations that can never satisfy our deepest needs... and we are the prodigal son every time we search for unconditional love outside of it's one true source. God.

So we stumble around in the lonely and cold dark...clinging to blind pride to prove that we know a better way. Until in sheer desperation...we go running back home.

Jesus says that He is THE way. Not one of the ways. Not a way. But THE way.

Many of us have gone off looking for love in all the wrong places. We've tried it our way. Wasted a lot of time and energy. Looked high and low. And are at a point where even pig's slop looks good to us.

But don't you settle for less than your Father’s best for you. Go on home. He's waiting to welcome you home with open arms and a feast.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)