I still can’t get my wife’s vision of God reacting to a prodigal out of my mind. It was a while back now.

She saw God, from the knees down, with a great cloak wrapped around Him, sitting on The Throne.

Suddenly He tensed, and she was aware that His attention was focused upon the horizon.

A tiny dot appeared, way in the distance. It was a man walking slowly towards the place where they were.

God leapt to His feet and ran, cloak splayed out behind Him, but as fast as He could towards the man.

He met the man and clasped him close to His heart. Wrapping His cloak about him, The LORD gently but joyfully brought him ‘home’.

What a wonderful picture of how God looks for prodigals!

His Father-heart brazenly displayed for all to see, He firstly looked out for the man, then He ran to meet him, finally He brought him home rejoicing. For just one prodigal who returns to his Father.

As I once again sat amazed at such a display of love, it occurred to me that there might just be some point Father was trying to get me to see in all this. So I asked Him.

Just as the man in the Vision needs a father to love and lead him, so does every prodigal or new Christian.

Where will all the young Christians find their spiritual mothers and fathers if not in us, the older generation?

Where will they be discipled if not by us, the older generation?

Where will they find an listening ear, an understanding heart, a loving correcting voice if not in us, the older generation?

God is calling the older, more experienced saints to His service once again.

No matter your age, The LORD has plenty for you to do. It will not necessarily cost anything but time mixed with a bit of love and wisdom.

Who knows how to apply that if not those who have experienced it for themselves?

We may be older, perhaps with a few extra lines in our faces, but unlike the world, God doesn’t discard all that wonderful experience when we reach 65-ish years of age.

In fact, most of us have anything up to 20 or more years in which to share that experience.

We can listen to, empathise with, advise, pray with, and generally ‘parent’ those newer to their faith than us.

My wife and I have been called ‘Mum & Dad’ by many younger Christians and we’ve even had the ‘Mum & Dad’ label prophesied over us a couple of times.

We are so thrilled and joy-filled to be both allowed and able to fulfill that role.

We too, are part of the team called “Church” — a vital and integral part with distinct roles to play coaching and encouraging the next generation of leaders. What a privilege!

Is God calling you to a new parenting role too?

You are still so very much needed.

 

~ Chris G. Bennett

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Chris Bennett came to salvation in 1962 but didn’t begin ministry until 2007 — a late-comer! Now mandated by The LORD to prophesy and open old wells of revival in the U.K., but especially in Wales. He has also operated Healing Rooms, and worked with deliverance teams, all with his wife, Linda. Happily now doing whatever The LORD asks of them! Founder, with wife Linda, of their ministry The Upper Room Encounter.

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