But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger!’” vs. 17
Luke 15:11b-32
The prodigal had been living large, enjoying the seamy side of life and satisfying the needs of his body with self-indulgence. But then came the day he found himself scrounging for food in a pigsty, and his eyes were opened. As Jesus tells the story, he “came to himself!” So what had happened? Of course he was hungry, but there was likely something else involved. All people are created with God at their core, some call this presence the “Christ within.” For many the Christ is a hidden presence, unseen both by the self and by others. People can live their entire lives with little or no awareness of their divine spark. They follow animal survival instincts and focus on self-interest and being happy. They study, work, and play with the hope of one day retiring and doing whatever they please. But then comes the moment, triggered by any number of things, when they “come to themselves,” and sense the Christ within. For the prodigal this was accompanied by guilt and a desire to go home again, to reconnect with his father. He prepared himself to pay the price for his wandering, but was greeted instead by unconditional love. That’s exactly how it works for us. As we discover the Christ within we are overwhelmed by love–our folly is forgiven, and we are born again!
Thought for the Day: What can trigger a “coming to one’s self” moment?
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