As I think about this story, it reminds me of the saying, “It takes one to know one.” Or, “Two peas in a pod.” Another is “Eagles of a feather, flock together.” All of God’s Beautiful Lilies will understand and smile.
There is a story in the Bible that is well known by both religious and non-religious types. It’s called “The Prodigal Son.” The story is a parable. A parable is a presentation of a true story that usually contains a lesson to be learned, which most of us can see and hear. But it also contains a deeper, Spiritual meaning, which is usually about the Ocean of God’s Love. It is the Sea of Promises where the “Too Good to be true, are totally true” blessings are.
Spiritual truths are like tulip bulbs. They are both seed and substance. One is in the ground of soil and the other in the ground of a heart. The life in the seed of both remain only a potential until the season arrives. Then the secret evolution below the ground destroys the seed and new life in a new form arrives, full of Beauty. This is reflected in the parable of the Prodigal Son.
“There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Give me my share of the estate. So his father divided the estate between His two sons. So the son went off into a far country and squandered his wealth in wild living. He spent everything he had. So he got a job tending to pigs and feeding them. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one cared about him, nor gave him anything to eat. Then he came to his senses.
” I’ll go back to my father and admit that I had sinned against him and ask for his forgiveness. I know that I am no longer worthy to be called his son, but maybe he’ll let me be one of the laborers.” As he approached the estate, his father spotted him from a long way off, and was so filled with compassion and love for his son, that he ran up to him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him.
The son said, “Father, please forgive me,” and the father’s response was only to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. He put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. This son of mine was dead, but is alive again. He was lost and now is found.” So they all began to celebrate.
It was a special ring. It was the King’s ring. “Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand and put it upon Joseph’s hand. . .and made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. Ruler over all the land. It was meant as a clear evidence to all, of the union between the two. “And they shall be coupled together into one ring for the ring shall be for them both.” What the King possessed was now Joseph’s. What the father possessed was now the son’s. What God possessed was now the prodigal’s.
The Father’s word was final. Everything he intended for his son would become reality because of his Father’s power and authority. “All of what was promised was written in the King’s name and sealed with the King’s ring; for the writing which is written on the ring by the King, no man can reverse. Esther 8:8 It was a Love Ring. It entitled the prodigal son to the Riches of the Kingdom.
Webster’s dictionary defines prodigal as: “given to reckless extravagance; unrestrained in spending; a ‘good-for-nothing’. Words engraved on the soul of all prodigals. I know. But as you continue with the definition in the dictionary is says, “one who gives lavishly; giving with profuse liberality; on who supplies in excessive abundance.” The prodigal son has a Prodigal Father. He’s engraved his Love on the Ring. “I will liberally supply freely all your needs, according to My Riches.”
He’s engraved His mercy on it. “Give thanks to the Father for His mercy endures forever.” He’s etched His power on it. “I can do all things through Him Who gives me strength.” On the ring are written the words, “Wisdom, Kindness, Forgiveness, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Self-control.” It says, “All things will work together for your good. . .I am the Source and Resource of all your needs.”
From the word prodigal, comes the word, “prodigy.” It means, “something extraordinary or inexplicable; someone who excites admiration and wonder; a miracle.”
A tulip bulb transformed into nature’s Beauty. . .such life and beauty from within the darkness of the earth. . .and the Prodigal son, rising up from within the darkness of his soul with such Life and Beauty. . . inheriting the Riches of the Prodigal Father. . .becoming His Prodigy, a miracle to Behold.
Free, my Love. Freely given. Especially suited for the prodigal sheep. Come home little lamb.
A Good Moment 