Away But Not Out

There is this really old story. And this story has been told and retold countless times, through literature and film and all types of canvas art. And the heart of the story, is one of

belonging.

Immediately this story burrows under my skin and chisels a home in my heart. This story is written with a richness of depth and meaning, with an intermittent custard of calling and purpose.

And in a time when humanity knows more and more about less and less, this work seems to shine with a fresh brilliance.

There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, “Father, give me my share of the estate.”

So he divided his property between them.

Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed

pigs.

The young man began to lust for the horn shaped fruit that the pigs were eating,

but no one gave him anything.

When he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s employees have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will get up and return to my father and say to him: Father, I have wandered from the path you had taught me to trust.

I am no longer worthy to be called your son; simply make me one of your employees.

So he got up and went to his father.

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

The son said to him, “Father, I have wandered from the path you have taught me. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”

But the father said to his employees, “Quick! Bring out the best clothes and put them on him. Put our family’s signet ring on his finger and the best shoes on his feet. Prepare the absolute best of our cows.

Let’s feast and have the most raucous of parties!

For this son of mine was lifeless but has awakened to the gift of life; he was lost and is found.”

So they began to party and celebrate!

Wow.

The son was away, but was never out. Because, to the father, distance does not mean absence.

Belonging cannot be gained, because it was never lost. The son has always belonged.

Always.

It was simply a matter of the son awaking to that which has always been true.

And that’s the point. the fuel. the fire. the echo that emanates from the heart of the story.

We have always belonged. I have always belonged. You have always belonged.

No matter what anyone else says. Because they are speaking to a person that is here.

We’re here, so we belong.

We have been birthed, placed, and positioned… here. That isn’t an opinion or arguable. It doesn’t require a passport or degree or membership.

You’re here, so you belong.

What’s left is waking up to that which simply is. So we wake up and return to the only home we have ever had, to the only One who is capable of creating life. It’s awakening to gratitude for the gift of this one life. Saying yes to living from the center of that which has been gifted. Living with awe and wonder and joy…

For this one life that we all belong to.

And that is only half the story, because…

There was a man with two sons.