Enjoy Being Home

Have you ever been in a situation where you know you should be enjoying yourself, but you just are not?  Maybe you got all dressed up for a fancy dinner party, but you get there and find out someone is there who just ruins your night.  Perhaps you go to the theater to see your favorite movie and someone in the audience just won't be quiet.  You go to your favorite restaurant and the sign says that they are out of your favorite dish.  What do you do?  Do you get upset?  Does it ruin your night?  Are things not going exactly the way you want able to ruin your day?  ...your week?  ...your month?

"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. (Luke 15:25-28 NIV)

The younger son came home and the older son was not happy.  His day was ruined.  The potential was there for much more than his day being ruined.  He was angry at his brother.  He was angry at his father.  He wasn't going to enjoy the party because he was just angry.  "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to..."  But here's the thing:  it's a party.  Not only that, it's a party the father is throwing.  It's a party in the father's house AND with the father's permission.  The father wants to celebrate the return of his son and everyone is invited.  In order to enjoy, though, we need to come inside.

"'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'" (Luke 15:31-32 NIV)

All too often I watch as people come home to the Father through the Son, but they do not enjoy the benefits and blessings of being home.  They miss the fact that there is a big party for them.  They miss the fact that there is another party for the next person and the next person and the next.  They keep living like they are in the distant country or they walk outside the house because they are angry at someone who is inside.  The party is ruined for them.  They aren't enjoying the party.  They do not enjoy being home.

Whether we enjoy home or not is completely up to us.  The Father wants us there.  Everything we need to enjoy the walk is there.  There's even a party going on there.  We need to decide whether we will go inside and enjoy or not.

How about you?  Do you let unexpected plans ruin your day?  Do you get upset when you don't get your way?  Are you bound and determined to stay outside and stew rather than going inside to enjoy the party?  Do you enjoy being home?