‘And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:23,24 ESV)
Whole Hog
…or calf, anyway…
The Prodigal’s Father did not celebrate with restraint, cautiousness, uncertainty, or doubt. His son had come home, and was that dad glad!
When God gives US reasons to celebrate, we modern folk tend to be more cynical, more unsure, more afraid. We wait for the other shoe to drop.
But because Christians’ heavenly Father does all things for our good, we have the option of celebrating in trust of Him. We can celebrate sure that the other shoe will also be worth celebrating. We can bash our bashedness into unabashed celebrations.
Of course, hurtful things happen. Sorrow is still here on earth. But let us not let those overwhelm and out-dark the shining gifts He ALSO gives us.
The Prodigal Father still had troubles. His younger son was understandably sullen. He had to PAY for that feast. His neighbors would doubt the validity of the Prodigal’s awakening.
But oh, he celebrated!