In my Nigerian boarding school, students loved to indulge in a practical joke. An older student would send an unsuspecting younger one on an errand to get the “rainbow bucket” from another older student. The latter would then ask the young student to get it from another older student. On and on it went until someone took pity on the unsuspecting student and revealed that the bucket didn’t actually exist!
In a far more significant way, the prodigal (or wasteful) son in Jesus’ parable set out on his own fool’s errand searching for fulfillment though embracing a destructive lifestyle (Luke 15:12-14). He disgraced his family by asking for his inheritance while his father was still alive. Worse still, he squandered that money.
Later, at his wits’ end, the young man took a job feeding pigs—one with such meager compensation that he found himself envying the pig feed. Eventually the scales fell from his eyes and he went home in hopes of attaining servant status in his father’s household (Luke 15:16-19).
His father’s generous welcome of him not as a servant but as a beloved son must have made his earlier quest seem foolish indeed. Everything he’d been searching for—acceptance, importance, and independence—had been his all along (Luke 15:22-24).
All too often, we may find ourselves in the prodigal son’s shoes. Only after our best-laid plans and efforts have proven futile do our thoughts turn to our heavenly Father. Seeking self-worth and satisfaction outside of God is the supreme fool’s errand. As we embrace our identity in Jesus, however, we’ll experience true fulfillment that can only come from God—the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 1:5-25
More:
Read Titus 3:3-7 to see how God has saved us from the effects of foolish living.
Next:
On what basis do you assess your worth? Is this in accordance with God’s view of you as revealed in Scripture? Why or why not?
Gary Shultz on June 6, 2017 at 5:51 am
Hi Remi: I guess every culture has it’s good natured jokes. Each culture has it’s rebellious and it’s self righteous, but we all need the Father’s love. Instead of trying to figure out who ranks better or who deserves more, we should be working on the greater point – love and forgiveness. Okay, I’m not saying that’s always easy, but it’s the kind of love the Father is always willing to show us. We at some point are all on the wrong side of God’s forgiveness, and need it. When we/I understand God’s power of love and forgiveness, we are able to step into the gift of His Son and find we are ushered into God’s family, becoming of great worth. If it is just because of rebellion, and we have been in the family, but have turned our back on God, the value is still there as this story revels. In which ever place we find ourselves, in or outside the family of God we will have great worth and joy by the forgiveness and presence of God. Thanks Remi
manuel molina on June 6, 2017 at 8:59 am
I belief that humor and laughter is good for us. The joyfilled Christian can be an example that being Christian is by no means boring. I have (3) disabled children. Yes ,(3), I find hard work, laughter and trust in God to be the key to a joy filled life, no matter how difficult and unfair life can be. I chose God”s favor vs the world’s fairness.
Tom Felten on June 6, 2017 at 9:14 am
Thanks so much for sharing, Manuel. You sound like an amazing person and parent. May God bless you and your children!
remioyedele2015 on June 6, 2017 at 10:20 am
Hello Manuel,
You have hit on a pivotal point – demanding fairness in/from the world is the source of so much heartache and stumbling. I pray for us all to receive God’s grace and strength to focus on HIS favor and HIS justice, as you do (and may you continue to do so in Jesus Name!)
Be blessed,
R
remioyedele2015 on June 6, 2017 at 10:16 am
Amen!! Thank you so much, Gary – that was an absolutely beautiful reminder that God’s love is steadfast, true and unfailing; we need not fear losing it 🙂
Be blessed,
R
don777 on June 6, 2017 at 6:16 am
This parable I can relate to, there was a time when I was young and was saved, but by looking at me from the out side it didn’t look like it. I even had a brother n law tell me that I wasn’t. I ended up on the streets & finally came to my senses. This is one of those dilemma with a parent, to be an enabler or not. Like the father he let him go. I don’t think the son would ever come his senses without being broken. Matthew 5:3 (NKJV) 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. There is a point in life where you just have to get out of the way & let God. We are not there savior. Some time we can’t see that we need God until everything else stripped away. Let go & let God. +>i
remioyedele2015 on June 6, 2017 at 10:25 am
Hello Don,
Thank you so much for sharing! The absolutely wonderful, amazing and awesome thing about God is that He is never stumped by anything we do – no matter how foolish. He is always able to do exceedingly, abundantly above anything we could ever ask or think and make all things work out for our good, turning them beautiful in His own way and time. All glory to His Name!!
Be blessed,
R
godlove on June 6, 2017 at 8:14 am
Thank you, Remi. I wasn’t in a boarding school myself but that funny anecdote makes me remember the many similar pranks my cousins and nephews/neices who did attend boarding schools told me about. We are constantly urged in everyday life to find immediate satisfaction through worldly stuff and we are easily deceived into evaluating our self-worth through the lens of the world. I like the Book of Ecclesiastes which warns us clearly that all these futile pursuits are meaningless, like chasing the wind (Ecclesiastes 2.11). It’s important to realise that this real-life fool’s errand doesn’t provide any fulfillment whatsoever and, without GOD, only leads to a feeling of sad emptiness in the long run. Praise GOD for the gift of the Truth and His Word, and for His infinite Love in Chirist Jesus, in whom we find the absolute and complete fulfillment that we crave for. “Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!” (Psalm 63.3)
sandy229 on June 6, 2017 at 9:12 am
That’s so true godlove, His unfailing love is better than life itself. No matter how much we have, they mean nothing, only God provides the fulfillment we seek.
Shalom
remioyedele2015 on June 6, 2017 at 10:41 am
Amen, Amen and Amen, godlove; thank God for His unfailing love!! Jerry Maguire had it wrong – only God can ever really complete us 🙂
Be blessed,
R
egenasunny on June 6, 2017 at 11:12 am
The father’s attitude on the son’s return simply shows the wonders of God’s love to his creation and His unending grace to us all. For by Grace are you saved, not of man less any man should boast! Thank God for His mercies which endures for forever!!