Seeing Eye to Eye

    Sometimes it is difficult to see from another person's perspective. In one movie in particular this is very evident: A Goofy Movie. In this movie Goofy is father to a son named Max. Max is a typical teenager trying to fit in at school and impress girls. He performs an unauthorized Pop concert at school, based off the popular artist Powerline. The concert impresses everyone at school including the girl he likes. But, it got him in trouble with the principal who calls his dad.

   Goofy, desperate to save his son from becoming a criminal, decides to take his son on a wild vacation to bond with him. Max had just gotten a date with the girl he likes but had to cancel. Instead of telling her the truth he decides to tell her he was going to the Powerline concert to sing onstage. From there it is a crazy trip where Goofy is trying to accomplish one thing and Max is trying to accomplish something else.

This father and son don't see eye to eye. They don't work as a team. Many times it is that way with our families. Parents seem to have one goal but the kids seem to have another.

   That's kind of what Jesus was talking about when he told the parable of the prodigal son. In Luke 15:11-32 we find this story of a son who wants what he wants and doesn't seem to think about what his father wants. The son goes out and squanders all his father gave him. Then, after hitting rock bottom, he goes home to ask his father for a job. When his father sees him coming he runs to his son and welcomes him back into the family.

   We all have parents or parent figures and we don't always see eye to eye. But, most of the time, our parents have our best interest at heart. And, even if they don't, we do have a heavenly father who does. He knows we will fall away because we are sinful beings. But, when we come back to him he welcomes us with open arms.

   As our heavenly father God has a plan for each of us. However, we don't always see eye to eye with God's plan for us. He knows that we may reject his plan for us, just as Jonah did, but he is ready when we do come back to follow his plan for us. He wants us to see eye to eye. Yet, he is patient with us if we fall away. That's why the parable of the prodigal son isn't necessarily about the son. It is about the father who represents our heavenly father. It is a reminder that God loves us no matter what. I hope you take solace in that this father's day.

   So, do you see eye to eye with your heavenly father? Do you know how much God loves you? What is God's plan for your life?

   Image from here.