Proudly Proclaiming, "I Am A Rebel!"

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. (Luke 15:20 KJV)

I'm excited so let's dig right in. 

The word prodigal goes hand in hand with the word rebellion. 

People walking in rebellion want to appear to be tough and hard. They typically proudly proclaim, "I am a rebel!"

But in all actuality, they are very broken, sad, empty, scared, lonely, and hurt. 

Do not ask me how I know. 

I've heard a lot of people try to make sense of rebellion saying, 

"Why is that person rebelling?"

"They should know better than to rebel." 

"Look how they are hurting their spouse/parents/kids/friends!"

Rebellion is very simple. 

Rebellion is a "Jesus hole" problem. 

We were created to worship God. (Psalm 86:9-10) When we don't channel that worship to Him, it doesn't just go away. It leaks out somewhere else. And when it leaks out somewhere else, (sex, drugs, work) there's a price to pay.  

Rebellion typically hits after a person tries to make everyone (and sometimes everything) around them be their Jesus. And when everyone and everything fails (and everyone/everything does fail because only Jesus can be Jesus), rebellion is lurking and waiting to jump up and say, "I'm going to do what I want, where I want, when I want, how I want, with who I want." 

When someone tells me, "This is my life. I am going to do what I want." I simply (with love and without attitude say), "Ok. Just know, God always wants you back. And always know, you can choose the rebellious act but the fallout chooses you. Rebellion not only affects you but everyone in contact with you. I will be praying for you."

When we are dealing with someone in rebellion, we are not called to "nurse", reason with, beg, or cry about rebellion. We are called to love, and teach Absolute Truth with Love's agenda. 

Sometimes, we are embarrassed by someone else's rebellion. We don't want to be associated with their rebellion. Here's a newsflash....none of it is about me. It's about love, and doing everything I have been called to do in order to save that person's life. (Snatch them back from hell.)

That is not a dramatic codependent statement. That is a be led by the Spirit and do precisely what (as well as when/how/where) He tells me to do and not one thing more. (Galatians 5:16-17)

"But Genice, I don't want others to think I'm onboard by ministering to this person while they are wigging out."

Hello. Jesus ministered to murderers/tax collectors/prostitutes and other "notorious sinners". (Luke 15:1, Luke 7:39, Ephesians 5:1)

However, I am not suggesting you roll around in the mud with anyone. Ask God what He would have you do. 

For all those dealing with someone who is rebelling, please understand rebellion results in attention. It may be negative attention but it's attention none the less. Rebellion hardens hearts preventing (blocking) the ability for that person to hear God. Shaming/lecturing/threatening (deep cleansing breath) crying/pleading/throwing a hissy fit/ displaying a better/holier than thou attitude won't bring people back from rebellion. If anything, those things will only push a rebellious person deeper into rebellion. It will motivate them to stay longer trying to prove they are right, even if all they want to do is run as fast as they can admitting they are wrong. Love is the only thing that will win someone away from rebellion. 

I've been on both sides of the "prodigal fence". The only thing that brought me to the correct side (saved me from myself and hell...on earth and into eternity) was...love. The only thing that has kept me on the correct side is...love. And educating myself on who I am in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 2:9, John 15:15)

One powerful way to win a person away from rebellion (and it is a battle...Ephesians 6:12) is to tell them about Luke, chapter 15.

Which brings us back to our text. I really don't think the father was by chance taking a leisurely stroll outside just a whistle'n Dixie because he had nothing else to do and just happened upon his son. 

No. 

When something is missing in our lives, we mediate on it, we miss it, we mourn for it, we want it back. We are made in our Father's image. Our very dna cries out for reconciliation. (Romans 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19) I think it's pretty safe to say, the prodigal son's father had been watching every-single-day for his son to return. Excited expectation! 

Praying and declaring and calling his son home and standing on God's promises for reconciliation. Going out every day (several times a day and night) to look and see, is today the day my son returns to me. Is this moment the moment when my son returns to me. 

That is how we deal with rebellion. 

If one of my girls were "gone"...I sure would.

 I would pray, declare, call, stand, and expect. I would watch. And WHEN (not if) I saw her, I would have compassion on her, and I would run to her! I would fall on her neck and I would kiss her! 

If you are currently walking in rebellion...SHAME ON YOU for upsetting your momma!

Totally kidding, lol! 

Just know, God always wants you back. (Romans 8:37-39, Ephesians 2:4-5, Romans 5:8) And always know, you can choose (Deuteronomy 30:15-20) the rebellious act but the fallout chooses you. (Romans 6:23) Rebellion not only affects you but everyone in contact with you. (Romans 6:23) I will be praying for you."

Father, I pray this blogpost be a catalyst for Your glory by bringing all prodigals home, in the name of Jesus! May none of us do one thing that would interrupt or interfere with Your process in delivering Your children back to You! May we all think, act, and do according to Love's agenda all the days of our lives, all for Your glory!