Bible Passage: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20 NIV)
Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-32
Have you ever tried to fill up a gas tank only to have it overflow because it was already full and had no room for any more?
One of the hardest polarized areas in our world can be our own home, where it can become an inescapable battleground.
There are several reasons for this. Different views on religion, politics, and life choices can all lead to a divide that looks impossible to overcome.
As Christian men, husbands, and fathers, what should our response be when the space between our family looks more like a canyon than a drainage ditch?
In Luke 15, Jesus shares a powerful parable about a polarized home.
One son decides he does not like how his father leads him, and asks for his inheritance so he can leave and find for himself what he wants his life to be—only to regret that decision later and return to his father’s house.
And how does the father react to his son who rejected him?
He saw him, had compassion, ran to him, hugged and kissed him, and welcomed him home (Luke 15:20).
Then there was the other son, who passionately disagreed with his father’s reaction, and the father faced another polarizing relationship that felt like a powder keg about to explode.
And how does the father react to his son who disagrees with him?
He went to him, let him express his thoughts, and listened to him, then responded with kindness and truth (Luke 15:28-32).
What the father shows is that his capacity is never so full that he doesn’t have room for his sons.
As Christian men who are leading our homes, do we have that capacity for our families? Or are we like the gas tank that is maxed out and creates a mess when it can take no more?
This does not mean we need to allow all kinds of mess into our homes, but rather that we do what we need to ensure our capacity is never too full for those closest to us.
It’s only then that we can bridge the canyon and bring our family closer together.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You that Your heart always has room for me. Help me manage my capacity better so I always have room for my family. Amen.
Reflection: What is something that takes too much of your capacity? How might you further limit it in your life to make room for your family?
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