The Story Behind The Song

By Lorinda Hall

Have you ever observed a child discovering their own will? Suddenly they become conscious of the fact that what Mum and Dad want does not necessarily match what they want, and that they have the power to do something about it. It’s not surprising then that often the first word we learn is ‘no’.

I remember my young niece went through a stage where it did not matter what I asked her, she would answer ‘no’. ‘Would you like to come sit and read a book?’ ‘No!’ ‘Would you like to come outside and play.’ ‘No!’ ‘Would you like a lolly?’ ‘No!’ The word would be out before she had even comprehended what I was saying. It was as if she first wanted to let me know who was in control before she considered my proposal.

As we grow through childhood and beyond there is an ever growing desire for independence. First we want to feed ourselves, clothe ourselves and prove to Mum and Dad that ‘I can do it by myself’. Then it continues into our teen years when we want to go out with friends, get our car licence and make our own decisions. The quest for independence seems to be a natural and universal part of human nature.

There is a story in the Bible about a young man who is perhaps representative of us all in this way. He is described as the son of a wealthy man who reached a point where he decided he didn’t want to live any longer in his father’s household. Instead he wanted to map out his own path and strike out on his own. So he demanded his portion of inheritance from his father and left home without looking back.

For a time it seemed to be going well. He was able to do everything and anything he wanted. He did not deny himself anything that would bring him immediate pleasure. But the things he sought were not able to sustain him for long and when he eventually ran out of money, he was left desolate.

Many of us have reached this point at some point in our lives. We were so sure of the things we thought would bring us happiness that we pursued them with all our will, energy and thought. Perhaps we even attained them. But what then? Were they able to sustain us? Did they deliver everything they promised, or were we left wanting?

Sometimes the things we chase only bring disappointment and disillusionment in the end. When we reach this point we begin to question; ‘Is this it? Is this all there is to life? What’s the point? What’s it all for?’ At this point we may sink into depression or we may fill our lives with things that will temporarily distract us from the reality that is eating away at us. There is an alternative however.

What happened to the young man in the story? Is this where it ended for him? No. For a while he made his living as best as he could by working for a pig farmer, feeding the pigs. He was at such a low point, so starving, that he even stooped to eating the pig fodder. He had reached a pretty desperate state.

It was at this point that he remembered his father’s household. Even his father’s servants were better off than he. So, despite the fact that he had turned his back on his father, had left that relationship behind in the search of his own selfish pursuits, he decided he would return. He would humble himself before his father asking to be taken in, even as the lowest of servants.

The wonderful part of this story is this young man’s return home. As he reached the end of the road leading to his father’s house, much to his surprise he saw his father in the distance, watching and waiting for his return home. From the day he had left home the young man had not given his father a second thought until he had reached desperation point. His father, on the other hand, had not forgotten him, waiting and watching hopefully every day for his return.

Casting himself at his father’s feet the young man was surprised that he was embraced with open arms. He had come to plead for a place as the lowest of servants, but instead, he was reinstated as a son in his father’s house.

The story ends here in the Bible, but I imagine much more could be said. In such a large house, the father would have crafted a specific role especially for his restored son who would take it up as a member of the family rather than an employee. I imagine the relationship between himself and his father would have grown and strengthened as they worked side by side.

We all start with a stance of independence that was found in the prodigal son. It is our human nature. We do not like anyone (including God) telling us what to do. The Bible says, ‘we have turned, everyone, to his own way’. However our Father in Heaven has bigger and better plans for us. He has a place for us in His household, and a particular role for us to fulfil. But He does not force this on us.

God gave us independent thought and choice because He did not want robots serving him. He wanted children who would choose to love Him. If we decide to turn back to Him, to offer ourselves without reservation to do as He wills, we will be pleasantly surprised. We will find that, no matter how unworthy we feel, He loves and receives us as His sons and daughters.

When we join His household we become part of a family, linked with brothers and sisters who are also being restored to the Father’s plan for them. Supporting one another, and loving one another, we hear the Father’s voice teaching us and directing us as we grow more and more into who we are supposed to be. His household is a place of sustenance. No longer are we looking for something to fulfil the deep hunger and thirst that has been in our lives for so long. Christ says that when we drink the water He gives we will thirst no more.

Bible References:
Luke 15:11-32; John 4:14 Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.