Reclaiming My Identity: Lessons from the Prodigal Son

When the prodigal son received his inheritance early(before he was mature enough to handle it), he no longer represented his father. He took off his identity because he never truly valued it or understood it. He had to learn the hard lesson of what happens when you are wasteful and ungrateful.

This son got so low that the food of pigs was better than what he could afford to eat. I’m sure his confidence was shattered, but he learned humility.

This son returned to his father and expected to be mistreated because he knew that his behavior was wrong, but his father ordered that the best coat be put on him. The coat, shoes, and ring that he was given was more than clothing, it was symbolic of him being given his identity back. He was a beloved son. He was valued and never forgotten. His return was celebrated because he now understood what he truly had and who he truly was. There was no way he would make the same mistake twice. He was celebrated because his confidence was hit so hard that he needed that celebration of affirmation.

How many times does God have to celebrate and affirm us before we believe what He says is true.”? How many times do we feel bad and unworthy, but God comes around the corner with the best coat to affirm us and show us that we belong to him?

Many of us have not only left and undervalued God in some way, but we either have or will return to Him expecting to be rejected. I want to tell you that this is not God’s heart toward us. I also want to help you understand that we don’t have the right to take on the attitude of the prodigal son’s brother when we see our kingdom siblings going through.

This brother was unhappy about the celebration that was being given because he didn’t understand a need for it. He may have looked down on his brother all of their lives but he was not around to see his sibling as his father did at his lowest state.

We are not God. We do not hear the prayers, the apologies, or the self loathing that our brothers or sisters go through. It is not fair or right for us to judge our Father’s heart. In fact, we should be the servant who is willing to go and find the best coat for our sibling who has returned home.

My own heart had to be checked because as I read the story of the prodigal son, I was on the side of the faithful brother who seemingly did everything right. I wondered about the need of having a celebration for the prodigal son and then the purpose of it was revealed to me.

To be honest, God doesn’t have to explain anything to us, but knowing His heart of love and the mercy that He has towards us daily is more than enough to desire what He desires.

Winning souls is the goal. We don’t win souls for the kingdom with a judgmental heart or attitude. We must also be reminded that at some point, we were all the prodigal son returning to the arms of the Father hoping for His grace.

Recommend Reading: Luke 15:11-32; Luke 15:7

Notes:

-the ring is a seal of sonship. With this ring, business can be conducted on behalf of the father. (The Passion Bible)

-Slaves had no shoes. The father in this story, asked for the best shoes to be brought for his son. (The Passion Bible)

*There is a difference between wealth and identity. Your identity is that you are loved. Financial status can change. The fact that you are loved never does.

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