i was a prodical

“I was the prodigal son!”

The LORD God has told us what is right and what he demands: “See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.”
Paul writes:

In early childhood and youth, my family gave me a good start toward knowing and receiving Christ into my life. However, as soon as I left home for college and military service, I abandoned Church and Christ. The focus in my life was on self and how I could gain wealth and have fun in the process. College life was more about partying with friends, drinking in excess, and having a good time with girls and friends. One year of study at La Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Lima, Peru was an adventure in immorality and wild living. This same lifestyle of living for the present and self-indulgence continued the first two years of my military service.
At age of 24 I began to feel my life was empty of meaning, that I was alone, and not having any fun that seemed to be a focus of my self-centered lifestyle over the previous four years.
My achievements in academic studies was only average. Friendships were established but they were very superficial and did not last long. My memory kept returning to a significant experience I had in Cuzco, Peru. While walking down a street in this city that bordered on a muddy barnyard for swine, I noticed a poor Peruvian family that was actually living in a pigsty in the midst of this mud and stench. In the midst of my comfort was much suffering and need in the world.

I had been raised as a young Christian, knowing all the stories of the Old and New Testament and teachings of Jesus Christ. But, I ignored the lessons learned, I turned away from Christ. I could not get the experience of seeing the poor Peruvian family, living in a pig barnyard, from my mind. I saw the parallel between my lifestyle and the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32. The son left for a life of debauchery and wild-living. He squandered his inheritance on drunken parties, material things and fun that ended in a life of sin without meaning. Yet, when he returned home to his father he was forgiven and he was received with unconditional love.
I recognized that Christ was my only hope for salvation. I started to go back to the church. I felt a joy and peace in church and prayer that I had never felt before. It came only when I asked forgiveness for my sins and declared faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. I knew my focus must turn first to a love of Christ and second to a love for others. My new Christian friends were deep friendships that helped and supported me. I started volunteering my time as a leader of a Boy Scout Troop.

The Forgiving Father and cleansing blood of His Son turned my life around. A commitment to love for my family and service in the community has continued through the rest of my life. The maturing of my Christian life has grown to an active discipleship that I try to follow every day. I hope I have been able to clearly share how Jesus Christ entered my life, changed me from the inside, and let the Holy Spirit be in control of my actions.

I would end with a scripture verse from Micah 6:8. “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”