The sad result of The Downfall was a rebellious heart within each human. This “I know better than God” mentality is what causes us to sin. When we question His Word and His commands, we doubt His integrity and love and down comes the house of cards! Why? Because all of life as we know it is founded on God’s Love and Faithfulness. When we question Him, we end up questioning everything about life. So we shouldn’t be surprised when our prodigals do the same thing. Mr Banks notes, “Not only do your children question you, you question yourself.” (p48) There is no solid ground for us to live and base all our thoughts, feelings and desires upon when we doubt God’s Love. And our prodigals begin to display this as they question our deep affection for them too. Just as every human has done, except for Jesus of course, our children rebel and havoc results.
Faith. It is the cure for the rebellious heart. When we choose to trust God, we can surrender to His Will and follow Him wherever He leads, all while experiencing peace and joy in the midst of every type of situation. Choosing to follow God instead of leaning on our own understanding, kills that rebellion within us and frees us to receive the humble heart God designed us to have and live by. (see Pr 3:5 & Eze 11:19) As we surrender to our Holy Father, we will become more and more like the father of the famous parable this book is named after. No more questioning what we do and why we do it. We will instinctively act upon the love that God grows within our new heart.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
August: Summer’s Soul Restorer “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
September: Covering Our Children: “Prayers for the Prodigals” by James Banks
<>< Peace, Diane
