November 2010

For me, the Prodigal Son is one of the most profound parables in the Bible and I have experienced the miracle of the prodigal returning in my own life.

God already knew that in the story of the Prodigal Son, we may see ourselves in the self-righteousness of the older brother or indeed in the prideful and rebellious younger son. But God yearns for us to be able to identify with the Father.

The story is not just about being received back into the welcoming arms of the loving Father, but in becoming like the Father.
‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate’ – Luke 6:36

God’s perfect love offers us His life and His heart in becoming like Him which is as Henri Nouwen states ‘is not just one important aspect of Jesus’ teaching, it is the very heart of His message’.

If Christian conversion is authentic, we are in a process of becoming more loving and through God’s love, He remakes us in His image of love.

‘Surrender To Love’ – Discovering the Heart of Christian Spirituality by David G Benner. I read this book while away for a few days and would describe it as powerfully heart warming and insightful.

Benner invites us to go deeper in God’s love surrendering to a power outside of ourselves enabling transformation in our lives. Benner, a psychologist and spiritual director explores the twin themes of love and surrender as the heart of Christian spirituality and shows how God bids us to trust fully in His perfect love, whereby in yielding to Him can free us to become who He created us to be.

Some of Benner’s other books include ‘Sacred Companions’ and ‘Care of Souls’.

Surrender to Love – David G Benner ISBN 0-8308-2302-6