Feel Good Movies, God, and Me

A young man born into wealthy circumstances has no appreciation for what he has. He wastefully spends money on parties, extravagant trips, and any desire or pleasure he wants. His grandfather decides to teach him some life lessons. At first the young man rejects the effort but over time, often against his own will, he begins to see reality, changes his behavior and his life, and falls in love with the right young girl and all ends well. So ended the “feel good” movie we watched just the other night.

This reminds me of the Bible story of the prodigal (wasteful, reckless) son in Luke 15. He demanded his inheritance, left home and wasted the money on “riotous” living. He reached a point where the money ran out and the “friends” all left. He took a job feeding swine. It got to the point that he was so hungry he was willing to eat the swine’s food. Then the Scriptures tell us starting in verse 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.” When he returned home his father met him on the road, kissed him, welcomed him home and made a feast.

Jesus uses this story to paint a picture of our loving God and His willingness to receive us back after we have travelled down a reckless road. His desire is for us to return home. His desire is to welcome us back. His desire is to provide us a place in His home where there is no more pain, hardship or death.

When I watch these “feel good” movies, I often find myself thinking that this makes for a good movie, but in real life these people usually don’t get back on the right road where everything turns out rosy. Just think of Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Madonna and others. We all know people in our own lives that are ruined by the lure of worldliness.

So while God is waiting on that road for us to return home, we often resist the efforts He provides through the lives of others to teach us, admonish us, and mold us into what the He wants us to be. We prefer to sit in the swine pit and never “come to our senses.” Or, we think that one day the right occasion will come along and we’ll change. We’re waiting on that “movie moment” when everything suddenly and magically turns around for us. Instead, like the prodigal son, it takes determination of our will – a decision – to cease following the world’s ways and finally start walking down the path toward God.

Luke 15:7 “…there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

Are you in the swine pit of life? Do you want a different way? Can we help you come home to God? Let us know how we can help.