Where Are You Rebelling?

The Prodigal Son story reminds me of the truth that we all rebel against God’s work in our lives in some way. We all resist grace at one time or another. And what is grace? It’s a gift of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Who doesn’t want more of these things!

How do we know we’re rebelling? Deep inside, our conscience is knocking and asking us to change something that will move us towards God, but we resist. We close ourselves off. Grace can’t work when we don’t move. We miss the gifts we most want.

Where are you rebelling right now? 

Maybe you can’t seem to make time for consistent prayer to build a closer relationship with God. Maybe you’re locked into a sinful habit that you make excuses for not stopping. Maybe you don’t want to part with your desire for worldly things like honor, power, riches, or pleasure because life on this earth seems so much more important. Maybe you can’t seem to let go of control and surrender God’s will each moment and day because you’re seeking ultimate perfection and comfort. Maybe you decline invitations to be of more service or engage in spiritual growth because you just can’t make time in your schedule for others and God. Maybe you feel called to take a risk in your career, but you cling to the steady income and path instead that isn’t giving you much meaning or using your God-given gifts and talents. Maybe you want to reconcile a relationship, but never take the first step. Maybe you want to be more generous, but can’t seem to part with giving more of your money or possessions. Maybe you want to be a more loving and kind person, but you can’t seem to overcome your anger and/or critical mindset.

These are common ways I see many of us rebel against God and move away from Him in our lives. We feel the nudge and the call to change, and we want the gift and graces that await us, but we settle for complacency by not changing. We believe the lie that the status quo is serving us better…but is it? 

The Prodigal Son shows us that the path of moving away from the Father only leads us more astray towards desolation, but when we turn back and move towards the Father, we receive the grace, the feast, and the generous mercy and love He wants to give us: the consolation and graces of the Spirit.

So honestly ask yourself, where is your rebellion moving you? Towards desolation or consolation? Further from God or closer to God? Into the Spirit’s graces or away from them? 

Maybe it’s time to turn back, change your path, and move towards the Father and His ask of you.