Stop And Look Before You Hit Rock Bottom

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso

When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, “At home even the hired men have food enough and to spare, and here I am, dying of hunger!” (Luke 15:17)
 

Sometimes sorrow is the clue that convinces us we have sinned. The younger son in this parable, like many who are rebellious and immature, wanted to be free to live as he pleased, and he had to hit rock bottom before he came to his senses. It often takes great sorrow and tragedy to cause people to look to the only one who can help them.  The forgiving, loving father will come running to take you back despite our immature and rebellious ways.

 

My question for young people. Are you trying to live life your own way, do your own thing, selfishly pushing aside parental advice or any responsibility and commitment that gets in your way? I plea with young people to stop and look before you hit rock bottom.  You will save yourself and your family much grief and unbearable sufferings if you just stop and listen to that voice of reason.  The young man in the parable murmured to himself “At home even the hired men have food enough and to spare, and here I am, dying of hunger!”

Though he had no iPhone or android to call home those days, I can imaging the family in this story may have been deceivingly led to believe that the son was doing fine and making a good living investing his inheritance while away.

You may not have to starve of hunger, but if you find yourself in this young man's situation, young people please swallow your pride, be straight and honest with your self and loved ones and do the right thing while you're able.  Let someone know the hardship you are going through because your pride can blind you to the reality of your situation and procrastination sets into the point where you could find it too late to go back.   

Swallow your pride and remember the words of the great wise man Solomon, who said "pride [goeth] before destruction."  Proverbs 16:18

And when we do experience sorrow in life, because we will experience sorrow while here on earth.  Remember that someday, sorrow will be no more. "For the Lamb standing in front of the throne will feed them and be their Shepherd and lead them to the springs of the Water of Life. And God will wipe their tears away." (Revelation 7:17)

In verses 1-8 we see the faithful believers receiving a seal to protect them through a time of great tribulation and suffering; in verses 9-17 we see the believers finally with God in heaven. All who have been faithful through the ages are singing before God’s throne.  This is a picture of what it takes to get there if we substitute our pride for faith.  If we confess our sins and give it to the father.

In his trying times, when he finally came to his senses, the son chose to came back to his loving father, ragged and torn as he was, the father took him in unconditionally and a loud call for celebration was put out, for the child was lost and is now found.

The son's tribulations and sufferings are over: no more tears for sin, for all sins are forgiven when we give our sorrows to the father.   On that great morning, our blessed hope will be realized when at last there will be no more tears shed, for all sorrows will be over; no more tears for death, for all believers have been resurrected to everlasting life "and God will wipe their tears away". Death and suffering, will be no more.  

Ia manuia

failauga p. anoa'i

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