Is Happiness the Purpose?
Kids at present are being raised in a society that perpetually tells them they’re meant to be blissful and that they need to be happy to do no matter feels good to seek out that elusive happiness. Children usually search for that happiness in attempting to be adequate. They have an inclination to hunt their objective in attempting to be the very best—or not less than higher than these round them. Or maybe they search satisfaction by way of the best toys, finest garments, latest telephones, or video video games.
One in all my kids usually struggles with feeling like she’s the one one who isn’t athletic sufficient, musical sufficient, creative sufficient, and many others. She doesn’t know the place she “matches.” And for all these eventualities, God’s phrase supplies the solutions—and the happiness—we search.
In Luke 15, the story of the prodigal son speaks to many of those totally different non secular dynamics. Its narrative and characters present us our naturally rebellious hearts, our delight, selfishness, sinfulness, and our want to be recognized and beloved. The extra we learn, the extra we acknowledge our want to be unbiased from God, and but we additionally discover a affected person and gracious God who’s at all times eager for our return.
By means of the experiences of Wander, this inventive retelling of the parable of the prodigal son teaches kids ages 6–8 in regards to the love of the heavenly Father and biblical truths about value and identification.
In The Lengthy Street House, I wished to indicate the general plot of the story of the prodigal son. But I additionally wished to broaden upon it, utilizing allegory. This illustrative instrument, as John Bunyan found along with his The Pilgrim’s Progress, might help train all ages. I’ve discovered that kids (and adults) appear to attach with these truths extra deeply once they see themselves within the story. It’s one other means of inviting readers to step into the reality, related but totally different from preaching or retelling a well known Bible story.
Very similar to how the The Pilgrim’s Progress reveals the journey of the complete Christian life, this e book goals to indicate the journey of trying to find objective and happiness in all of the fallacious locations. It additionally showcases the Father’s endless love for every of us; he’s able to obtain us after we attain the place of desperation and see our depravity and wish for his forgiveness.
I consider that the youthful son, being known as “Wander,” will assist many kids relate to our pure want to “wander” from God. We get lost to the world, searching for our happiness there, fairly than with the One who gave us life, who is aware of what’s finest for us, and who supplies every part we want. The ups and downs of Wander’s journey additionally reveal the sentiments of disgrace that come up after we know we’ve made sinful decisions. As a substitute of working again to God, we’re tempted to cover in disgrace or make ourselves really feel higher by making extra poor decisions.
Due to Jesus, God is at all times able to obtain us house with a coronary heart of forgiveness.
But most of all, this story lays out the gospel for sinners who’ve all turned their backs on God their Father. Nevertheless, due to Jesus, God is at all times able to obtain us house with a coronary heart of forgiveness. He rejoices over each sinner who returns to him in repentance.
Lastly, as households learn this e book collectively, they’ll uncover tendencies to be like Wander’s older brother. The story speaks to those that have extra of a bent to be “do-gooders.” Just like the older brother, we really feel like we’re higher than others and deserve extra. Why? As a result of we haven’t been as outwardly sinful and silly as our sibling, good friend, or classmate. This character reveals the Pharisee in every of us and the way we’re all in want of God’s grace and forgiveness.
Sarah Walton is the writer of The Long Road Home: A Tale of Two Sons and a Father’s Never-Ending Love.
