The Prodigal Son

The story of the Prodigal Son is a story I'm well familiar with, having grown up hearing this story.

Recently, I've been thinking about it. As the story goes, the son runs off to experience all the world has to offer him, but in the end none of the what world had to offer was as good as what his father had to offer - so he returns, and his return is celebrated by all expect his brother.

I don't know what other people focus on when they think about this story, but I've been focusing on lately, is the father, and what he didn't do.

The father didn't pursue his son, he didn't even say no to the son. He let the son go to make decisions for himself, and then he celebrated when the son chose to return to him.

This decision to choose the father over the world, is essentially a parable of how important it is for people to choose God. But, to look at it much more broadly, it's a parable of how important it is for people to choose goodness, righteousness, honesty, courage, and all of the other virtues.

It's also relevant for what is going on in today's world. The people of the world have chosen the world and all of its immediate gratifications: food, sex, entertainment, and many other types of pleasures. They have chosen the false virtues - what is known as virtue-signalling. They have chosen short term pleasure over long term goals. Now it's all coming to fruition - the famine of morality, culture, and virtues is here.

On a more personal level, my life has mirrored the son's life in many ways. I went out into the world, and saw much of it. I partook in all of the earthly, short-term pleasures: sex, food, entertainment. But all of that has been hollow, and I often look back and ask myself what would've been a better use of my time.

Now, I'm at a point in my life where I am at a transition. I want to be me. The best version of me. To be good. To do good. Shall I return to my Father's house?