I Will vs. I Wish
Most who read this will probably be familiar with the section of scripture that is often referred to as “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.” If that is not the case, I invite/encourage you to read Luke 15:11-32.
Neither the space usually used on these posts nor my ability will allow me to fathom the depths of this important text. With that being said, I would like for all of us to think about what I consider to be two important words found therein. I believe that they are worthy of our consideration at any time, but it may be the case that they deserve especially careful consideration at this time of the year.
This post is scheduled to appear on January 8th. That means that it has not been that long since many of us made those resolutions for a new year – or did we?
I’m not concerned about whether or not we went through the motions of making a list of improvements we need to make in some aspect of our lives. Rather, my concern is whether or not we actually made resolutions. Could it be that, after about a week or so of making those resolutions and supposedly implementing them, they are already ancient history?
If you remember the parable mentioned earlier, you may remember the statement made by the younger brother when he realized what the decisions he had made in his life had cost him. He did not say things like:
“I wish that I had never done what I did.”
“I wish that I had not squandered my inheritance.”
“I wish that I could have the same relationship with my father that I once had.”
It may just be me, but statements like those, as well as some we make, have some similarity to dreams. For example, I may wish for some things that would improve my life and dream about what my life would be like, but never actually do anything to make my wishes/dreams a reality.
If you remember, the “prodigal son” in the parable made this statement:
“I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
I am no more worthy to be called your son:
make me as one of your hired servants.’”
(Luke 15:18-19, ESV)
The word “will” in that statement appears to me to be more like a resolution than what some of us (yes, including me) do as a new year is about to dawn. For that matter, it would be relevant at any time.
As you continue reading the parable, it is evident that the prodigal did not merely make a statement about a plan. He implemented that plan.
In his case, the results were better than he expected. It might even be accurate to say that things turned out better than he could have dreamed. As I’ve suggested earlier, there may be an application for all of us
I will probably get this quote wrong. I apologize for that and for not remembering where I first heard or read it. In spite of those caveats, I believe that it might be challenging and helpful for all of us as we consider improvements that we might need to make. Maybe it will help us as we make real resolutions.
If there is no plan, it’s just a dream.
AUTHOR: Jim Faughn
