When God Lets Us Choose Our Own Way

Although I don’t remember this story, my mother has told it to me many times, always with a smile and a laugh. I am sure you will be just as surprised as I was to learn that I might have been a tad strong-willed and independent as a child.

I know. Shocking.

When I didn’t get my way or when I got in trouble, I would pout, whine, stomp my foot, or cry. I also liked to throw out the occasional dramatic threat of, “I’m going to run away from home.”

Since Mother’s Day is today, I thought this would be the perfect time to tell you my mom’s response to that little threat.

She would simply smile and say, “Here, let me help you pack your bags!”

Lol! She knew good and well that I was a scaredy-cat and wouldn’t make it past the front door. I might have been mad, but I wasn’t about to head out into the great unknown with no snacks, no plan, and no one to tuck me in at night.

That story came to mind as I was reading Luke 15 about the prodigal son. Most of us have heard the story many times. A son leaves his father’s home, takes his inheritance, wastes everything, and eventually comes back humbled and broken.

I’ve read that story before, but this time, something about it stopped me in my tracks.

The Son Who Wanted His Own Way

Jesus begins the parable this way:

Luke 15:11-12 (NIV)
¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

That younger son sounds a little familiar, doesn’t he?

He wanted his own way. He wanted freedom. He wanted control. He wanted to leave the safety and provision of his father’s house and go live on his own terms.

And let’s be honest, he didn’t exactly ask sweetly. I don’t see a “please” in there. I don’t see him saying, “Father, I have been thinking about my future, and I would love to discuss this with you.” No, he said, “Give me my share of the estate.”

That sounds more like a demand than a request.

I wonder what led up to that moment. Had there been tension in the household? Was the younger son tired of living in his older brother’s shadow? Did he think life would be easier, more exciting, or more fulfilling somewhere else?

We aren’t told those details, but we are told the father divided his property between them.

That part gets me.

The Father Could Have Said No

The father did not have to give his son anything. It wasn’t time for the son to receive his inheritance. The father was still alive. The son was asking for something that should have come later, and he was asking in a way that must have been deeply painful.

The father could have said, “Absolutely not.”

He could have forced him to stay. He could have lectured him. He could have reminded him of everything he had done for him. He could have told him he was being foolish, disrespectful, and ungrateful.

And honestly, he would not have been wrong.
But instead, the father gave his son a choice.
That is the part I keep coming back to.

Love Does Not Always Stop Us From Leaving

I have so many questions about this part of the story. How old was the son? Did the father think, “Let me help you pack your bags,” knowing the son might change his mind before he reached the road?

Or did the father know this child was actually going to leave?

Was he crying as he handed over the money? Did he stand in the doorway and watch his younger son walk away, knowing full well that the road ahead would not be kind? Did he pray as that boy disappeared from sight?

This was an “if you love someone, let them go” moment.

Not because the father didn’t care. Not because he approved of the decision. Not because it didn’t break his heart.

He let him go because love gives a choice.

That is hard for us to understand sometimes. We want love to grab people by the shoulders and say, “Nope, you are not doing this. I know better, and you are staying right here.”

And goodness, wouldn’t that make life easier sometimes?

But God does not force us to stay close to Him. He does not drag us back into the house. He does not make us choose Him.

He invites us.
He calls us.
He waits for us.

God Lets Us Choose

This parable was told by Jesus, and the father in the story represents our Heavenly Father.

That means this story is not only about a rebellious son. It is also about a loving Father.

Our Father gives us a choice. He will not force us to stay with Him. He will not make us obey Him. He will not remove our free will just because He knows we are headed in the wrong direction.

Like the father in the story, He may watch us make the wrong decision with tears in His eyes.

That is a sobering thought.

How many times have I packed my own little spiritual bags and headed out the door? Maybe not in a loud, dramatic way. Maybe I didn’t shake my fist at heaven and announce my departure. Sometimes, leaving looks quieter than that.

• It can look like doing things our own way and then asking God to bless it later.
• It can look like ignoring that little nudge from the Holy Spirit because we already know what we want to do.
• It can look like holding on to bitterness, pride, fear, or control.
• It can look like saying, “I’ve got this,” when the truth is, we most certainly do not have this.

And still, the Father waits.

The Father Is Still Watching

Today, we have a choice.

We can stay close to the Father, or we can pack our bags and head out the door to do our own thing. We can trust His wisdom, or we can insist on learning the hard way.

And haven’t we all learned a few things the hard way?

The good news is that the story of the prodigal son does not end with the son walking away. It ends with the father running toward him when he comes home.

That is the heart of God.

He lets us choose, but He never stops loving us. He lets us walk away, but He never stops watching for our return. He lets us learn, but He never closes the door.

So today, as we make decisions, big and small, maybe we should pause and ask ourselves, “Am I walking toward the Father, or am I packing my bags?”

And if you realize you’ve wandered farther than you meant to, don’t let shame keep you away.

Turn around.

The Father is still watching.
The porch light is still on.
And home is still home.

To GOD Goes The Glory!

Have A Blessed Day

Let’s End With A Prayer

Lord, thank You for loving us enough to give us a choice. Forgive us for the times we choose our own way instead of trusting Yours. Help us recognize when we are drifting, and give us humble hearts that are willing to turn back to You. Thank You for waiting with open arms and never giving up on us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.