Seven Days with the Prodigal Father Sample

 From Reckless Love to Reckless Living  

  The soon to be “prodigal” son, who was the younger of two brothers, did something highly unusual that completely maligned his father’s reckless love for him in favor of a reckless life. He basically said, “Father, I know you’re not dead yet, but I can’t wait any longer — I want my inheritance now.” The father had no obligation to comply with this unreasonable demand, but surprisingly, he did as his son requested. He divided up his wealth and gave the rightful portion to his younger son. 

Shortly thereafter, the adventurous young man took all his money and traded in his lowly life, with its small-town living, for the “high-life” in the big city. Although the Bible doesn’t go into detail about what he did there, it does say that he “squandered his wealth in wild living” (Luke 15:13 NIV). That means he was living recklessly — living for today, with nothing mattering except the fleeting thrill of a few meandering moments of pleasure. His family didn’t matter. His health didn’t matter. His job, his reputation, the example he was to others — none of it mattered. He just lived for that high, that thrill.

This is an attitude that’s glorified in the movies and it’s the way many people live their lives — but what an incredibly selfish and irresponsible way to live. It is short-sighted, immature, and destructive, leading people exactly where it led the prodigal son — nowhere. It is categorically reckless, putting pleasure and instant gratification above everything else! And believe me, though the prodigal son had recklessness on speed-dial, he soon learned that it was the wrong number.