While out shooting a cover photo for my song, “It Shouldn’t Be Like That“, we ran across this graffiti that really spoke to me.  My song is about being a prodigal, and this just seemed to capture the attitude that overtakes us when we go astray.

So what is it?  I can’t stop, or I won’t stop?  The bible tells me that because I’m born again, sin no longer has dominion over me.  In other words, I can stop, I just won’t.  That’s the real truth isn’t it?  And until I own up to that I’m going to remain a prodigal.  “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”  (Romans 6:14)

How do you become a Prodigal son or daughter?  It’s not that hard really; all you have to do is walk away from the Father’s love.  Sometimes we just walk away and everyone knows it; we go back to the pigpen of the world and it’s obvious to everyone.  Sometimes it happens like erosion; we don’t even know how we got where we are.  We’re still “talkin’ the talk”, going to church, smiling our Christian smile… but if we just stop to think about it, there’s nothing inside; it’s not real anymore.  You’ve become a prodigal. 

The scariest thing is that you can be a Prodigal and not even know it!  Jesus tells the church of Laodicea that they are “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”… but they have no clue! They have “Prodigal” written all over their foreheads but don’t see it at all. You can look, sound, and act like a Christian… and be a million miles away from your Father’s house.

I wrote this song because I’ve been there, and it just seemed such a strange contradiction to be a “Child of the King” and be so empty inside. Our Father’s heart is that we’d come to our senses and return home. He’s so ready to receive us with open arms!

The Prodigal Son:  Luke 15:11-31

The song, “It Shouldn’t Be Like That”  is available at iTunes and amazon.com .  Also available on my site here, and at CD Baby here , and at other download sites.