Embracing Abundance and the Parable of the Prodigal Son

Recently, the Lord has repeatedly brought a familiar parable to mind— the story of the prodigal son, found in Luke 15:11-32. It's a tale of a father with two sons: one who recklessly squanders his inheritance, returns humbled, and is warmly embraced by his forgiving father. The other son, though, becomes resentful and refuses to celebrate his brother's return. Typically, the focus is on the younger son's irresponsibility and the father's boundless love, painting a beautiful image of God's forgiveness.

Lately, however, the Lord has impressed upon me the older son's role, specifically the words, "You are always with me, and everything I have is yours." The older son had all he needed, always in the presence of his father with access to his abundant blessings. But he lost sight of this when he compared himself to his younger brother. In that moment of comparison, he felt lacking, yet it was a false perception. He was deceiving himself.

I've found myself in the same position. There are times when I experience deep peace and contentment with the Lord, learning to embrace His abundance. Everything I have, He has provided, and I have access to the Father's limitless blessings. However, as soon as I look around, I'm plagued by feelings of inadequacy and insufficiency. It's so true that "comparison is the thief of joy."

I find that cultivating a gratitude practice is incredibly helpful to combat this feeling of lack. Creating a list of things I'm thankful for consistently shifts my perspective, especially during low moments. I also derive comfort from reflecting on the Lord's past provisions, knowing that His faithfulness endures, and He will continue to provide. I have witnessed His goodness time and time again, which is why, in the Old Testament, the Lord urged the Israelites to establish memorials to commemorate His provision. We humans are naturally forgetful!

Now, you might wonder how I'm certain that it's the Lord who keeps bringing this particular story to my attention? The truth is, I don’t know with 100% certainty. There is a part of the brain known as the "reticular activating system," responsible for regulating wakefulness and consciousness, essentially functioning as the subconscious brain. It's akin to the phenomenon where after buying a blue Honda, you start noticing them everywhere, though they were always there. There's substantial research on this aspect of the brain and its capacity to train the subconscious. So, is my focus on the older son in the parable of the lost son merely the reticular activating system in action? Perhaps. However, I choose to see it as the Lord gently nudging me to walk in His abundance, to remember that everything I need, He has faithfully provided. I’ve decided that every time something or someone is brought to mind over and over again, as long it does not conflict with the Lord’s word, that it’s something for me to lean into and pay attention to. There is always a nugget of truth to be had.

So I am leaning into this message of abundance. Into walking with confidence as a daughter of a King.