Wastefully Extravagant: Prodigal Son, Pt. 4

But while the younger son was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son." But the father said to his slaves, "Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!" And they began to celebrate. [Luke 15:20b-24, NRSV] Did you know that the word "prodigal" means "wastefully extravagant"? It seems to me that the true prodigal in this story is the Father. He doesn't even wait for his son's confession. He is wastefully extravagant with his love and forgiveness as he runs down the road to embrace his wayard son. He doesn't grumble. He doesn't say "You are dead to me." He simply rejoices in the return of his son and embraces him with no questions asked. This is the most beautiful image for God I have ever encountered. However, it is quite different from the image of God we sometimes get at church. The God seen in some churches is a grumbler. He complains about everything: What we wear to church. What kind of music we listen to. What version of the Bible we read. And so on and so forth. The God seen in some churches is also a "you're dead to me" kind of God as well. He casts people out of church with a one way ticket to hell because of their sexual identity, their addictions, their politics. And so on and so forth. WAKE UP, CHURCH! This is not the God portrayed in the stories of Jesus. This is not the God who is wastefully extravagant in his love for his wayward sons and daughters. This is a God who rejoices greatly when anyone returns home, no matter what condition they may be in when they arrive at the door. There are no lectures. No "I told you so's." Only a warm embrace and a feast fit for a king or queen! I spent way too many years beating myself up for being gay. I prayed that God would change me because that's what the church told me God wanted for my life. Well, after praying to be changed for about seven or eight years and only hearing God's silence, I collapsed in exhaustion and gave up all hope. It was then that I encountered the wastefully extravagant God who ran to pick me up, dust me off, and offer me a warm embrace. God said "Are you finished beating yourself up now?" I said, "Yes." Then God smiled and said, "Well, then, welcome home." God didn't seem to have a problem with me being gay. I was the one who was beating myself up about it. I know some people don't see it that way but I really don't care anymore. God and I are fine and God's gracious welcome home changed my life forever. I hope any pray that each of you will discover the wastefully extravagant, prodigal God who is waiting to welcome us all home, no matter what letter of the alphabet we identify with!