Slopping The Hogs

Posted by Dion Todd August 11th, 2015 12,620 Views 0 Comments

The son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat, and celebrate; for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found. Luke 15:21 WEB

Jesus told a story of a young man who could not wait to get an inheritance from his father. When he finally received it, he left home and ran through it immediately by spending the entire inheritance on riotous living and prostitutes. That was certainly not his fathers perfect will for him. When everything was gone and he became hungry, he tried to find a job but could not. Finally as a last act of desperation, he got a job feeding pigs.

I grew up on a farm and slopping the hogs was a daily chore. I can tell you that it is a messy place to be and that the fragrance is not pleasant. On top of that, he was a Jew who detested swine. This son had now hit rock bottom. After a while of doing this, he came to his senses. He knew that he was now broke, hungry, and living by slopping the hogs.

He remembered that the servants in his Fathers house always had plenty to eat, so he decided to return home and become a servant. He put together a speech about how he was no longer worthy to be called a son. Before he could give the speech, the father in the story was throwing a celebration and making him the guest of honor at it. The Fathers heart said: You will always be my son. The son only had to return for the door was always open.

Sometimes we ask God for things and then when we get it, we completely blow it. One of those Oh my that was stupid moments that we wake up from. God understands and He wants us to return to Him. His door is always open. No matter what you have done, you are welcome at His house. This story was included in the Bible for people like us. When you come to your senses, return home to the Father. It is ok, He understands. Dont stay out there with the pigs.

Prayer: Father I thank You for always having an open door. I choose You today and ask that You help me find where I need to be. Put me where You want me to be Lord. Open the next door and I will walk through it, in the name of Jesus.