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by Ruth O’Neil
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate” (Luke 15:22-24).
Famines are something we read of throughout the Bible. It seems that just about every generation faced famine at one point or another. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all had to endure food shortages, and God helped them through each time.
We don’t hear a whole lot about famines today, although they do still happen. Technology and the world becoming a smaller place help relieve the pressures and stress in places experiencing famine.
Then there’s a spiritual famine. Many more of us experience those as opposed to food famines. A famine is an extreme shortage. Many people have an abundance of food, but an extreme shortage of God. While spiritual famines can be very painful for the believer, it can also help us get to where we need to be. If there is a spiritual famine in our lives it is He wants us to be
You may not think of the parable of the prodigal son as a success story. When I think of him I picture a spoiled teenager that got what he truly deserved. The young man left the wealth and comfort of his father’s home because he thought the grass was greener somewhere else. We all know it wasn’t. That young man ended up lower than the pigs he was feeding. They had more food than he did.
It was while feeding these pigs that the young man had an epiphany; a moment where he came to his senses. There was plenty of everything at his father’s house. Why was he wallowing in the mud with pigs? Knowing his father’s servants had plenty, he humbled himself to return home. He had learned his lesson. He would have taken a bottom position in the household just to be in his father’s home once more.
He had been in a spiritual famine and had finally decided where he needed to turn. The same is true for us when we feel as if we are in a spiritual famine. God is waiting for us to come to our senses and realize a few things. As soon as we turn back to Him, His arms will open wide to welcome us. He has more than plenty to offer us if we will only accept His gifts.
About the Author:
Ruth O’Neil has been writing for over 20 years. She has published hundreds of articles in numerous publications. She loves to touch the emotions when she writes. “If I can make one person laugh or cry, I’ll consider myself successful.” Her first novel “Come Eat at My Table” has just come out in ebook form and can be purchased on her website. She homeschools her three children (well, one now, as two have graduated). She and her husband have been married for 20-plus years. In her spare time she enjoys quilting, crafting, and reading. You can visit her on her blog at ruths-real-life (dot)blogspot.com or her website at ruthoneil (dot)weebly.com
