I read a fantastic book recently, I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before. Even if I have, I'll do it again just to make a point. It's called the 'Prodigal God' by Tim Keller, and as the title may suggest, it's about Jesus' parable about the prodigal son. However, the book takes a life changing perspective on the story. Before, when I had only glanced at it my focus had been on the younger son in the story (the one who takes the inheritance and squanders it. Then wants to come back to the Father again). This book takes a huge look at the older son. Now, listen carefully to this because it's important we understand this story and who it was aimed at... Religious people. Jesus was telling this story to religious people too (Pharisees) and that's why they got so upset when it was told. When the younger son returns the father runs towards him and embraces him and tells the servants to prepare a huge party for him and even to kill the fattened calf! Upon hearing this news the elder son is not happy and questions why the father is even doing this for the younger son, 'have I not worked for my share?' and 'Do I not deserve my share?'
It's like the elder son feels as though he has earnt his share and desreves every bit. There is a huge danger for those 'religious people', because there is no way that anyone can earn there share of the inheritance. It's like saying that you can work for your place in heaven and that you deserve to be there because you have worked for it. I can see a lot of myself in the elder brother, which is why I can say what I am saying. Sometimes Christians can feel like that if they work hard and 'please' God, they can stand a better chance to get to heaven. This is what stopped me in my tracks: God doesn't NEED me. God chooses to use me. God will get done whatever He needs to get done without me. He can do it, He is God after all. So, it is with humility that we can say God uses us for His purposes.
I'm in Borneo, and this lesson can be applied here too. I haven't consciously thought 'I really need to do this to earn more from God and then I will deserve my place in heaven', or do I remember thinking it before (previous trips) but it still needs to be addressed with me at least. Whether it crosses my thoughts or not, I am very much guilty of showing traits of the elder brother. God doesn't NEED me here, He has chosen to use me. There is nothing I can do to earn His favour or even earn a place in heaven. A Christian just is. There is NOTHING one can do to deserve, earn or warrant the father's favour. The important thing is that I do not actually become an elder brother. That is a lethal situation. I wouldn't want to be that way and feel I have ownership over something. Or feel as if a deserve to own something. Or feel I should get angry when something is changed and I feel as though I have worked for it. I mean, I wouldn't ever want to feel as though I owned and deserved something when it truly belonged to God, and He should have His way. I wouldn't even to do that that a church, structure or even music.
Praise the Lord, He has shown me this and now I can be aware. The most scarey thing about this story is that the elder brother doesn't join in on the feast at the end.