Prodigal father!

The prodigal father let the prodigal son go! How amazing is that? With half the family’s cash stuffed in his back pocket the young guy can’t wait to be out of the house. I’m sure the father had serious misgivings. This was not going to end well! Was he an irresponsible father? Should he not have laid down the law? But he didn’t, and yes it did end badly for the young guy. At least the story had a very bad patch for him. In the end, though, it did all come right.

Our heavenly Father has a destiny prepared for us way beyond “what eye has seen or ear heard”, and yet strangely gives us the freedom to reject it. The second tree in the garden provides a way out if man should be foolish enough to want turn his back on the heavenly relationship. (That story ended badly as well, but also came right in the end.) Love desires only good things for the beloved. But true love also guards the freedom of the beloved.

In our desiring good things for those we love, it is hugely tempting at times to want to control them (“for their own good”), yet true love is able to release. Unconditional love is really the only kind of love there is. Conditional love is manipulation. I believe in non-coercive church. I want so much for people in Hillside. But I need you to want it! I believe in non-coercive family. I believe in non-coercive marriage. I believe in non-coercive business…

And all this is possible because Jesus loved us non-coercively and bought us a peace which passes understanding. My peace does not depend on whether the people I know and love do the things I think they ought to. My peace depends only on him.

Have an awesome week honouring the freedom of others.

Richard