We’ve all heard the story. The rebellious child who demands their inheritance early, essentially telling their father, “I wish you were dead.” They squander everything on wild living before crawling back home in disgrace. The classic prodigal.
But what if we’ve been looking at prodigals all wrong?
Beyond the Rebellion Narrative
When we label someone a “prodigal,” we often paint them with a broad brush of rebellion and ingratitude. We see them as people who’ve deliberately turned their backs on everything good, who’ve intentionally hurt those who love them most.
But what if curiosity, not rebellion, is often the first step on a prodigal journey?
Think about the original prodigal son from Jesus’ parable. Scripture doesn’t actually tell us his motivations. We assume the worst—that he was ungrateful, selfish, and rebellious. But what if he was simply curious about the world beyond his father’s farm? What if he genuinely believed there was something out there he needed to discover?
Curiosity isn’t sin. It’s human. It’s how we learn and grow. It’s what drives innovation and exploration. Even Jesus, at age twelve, stayed behind in Jerusalem without telling his parents because he was curious about the temple discussions.
Tricked, Tripped, and Trapped
The problem isn’t usually curiosity itself. It’s what happens next. The enemy of our souls is patient and strategic. He doesn’t show the full consequences up front. Instead, he:
Tricks: “Just try it once. Everyone does this. You’re missing out.”
Trips: Once the initial step is taken, it’s easier to stumble into the next one, and the next one.
Traps: Before they realize what’s happening, they’re caught in circumstances, relationships, or addictions they never intended or imagined.
The original prodigal likely never planned to end up starving in a pigpen. He didn’t leave home thinking, “I want to hit rock bottom.” He just wanted to experience life, and one decision led to another until he found himself trapped in a life he was never meant to live.
Seeing Prodigals Through New Eyes
When we understand this progression, it changes how we view the prodigals in our lives:
- They’re not rejecting us personally. Their journey isn’t about us—it’s about their own search for identity, meaning, and experience.
- They’re victims as much as they are wanderers. Yes, they made choices, but they’ve also been deceived, manipulated, and trapped by an enemy who wants to destroy them.
- They’re living in a reality that doesn’t align with who they truly are. Like the prodigal son who was a beloved son even while living like a hired hand, their identity hasn’t actually changed—just their circumstances.
- They’re often more miserable than we realize. Behind the social media posts and brave faces, many prodigals are deeply unhappy, confused about how they got where they are, and unsure how to find their way back.
Loving Them Home
When we shift our perspective, it transforms how we respond:
From anger to compassion: Instead of feeling personally rejected, we can recognize they’re caught in something bigger than themselves.
From judgment to understanding: Rather than focusing on their poor choices, we can see the deception that led them there.
From control to prayer: Instead of trying to force them to return, we can persistently pray for their eyes to be opened to the truth of their situation.
From conditions to unconditional love: Like the father in Jesus’ parable, we can keep looking down the road, ready to run to them the moment they turn toward home.
The Way Forward
The story of the prodigal son doesn’t end in the pigpen. It ends with a celebration. The father didn’t wait for his son to clean up his act or prove his worthiness. He ran to him while he was still a long way off, embraced him in his filthy state, and restored him to his rightful place in the family.
That’s our model. Not angry texts or manipulative ultimatums. Not cold shoulders or “I told you so.” But a love that remains steadfast, a hope that never gives up, and arms that stay open.
Because the truth is, we’ve all been prodigals in some way. We’ve all been curious about things that led us down paths we later regretted. We’ve all been tricked, tripped, and trapped by the enemy at some point.
And we’ve all needed someone to love us home.
So the next time you think about the prodigal in your life, try to see beyond the bad rap. See the curious child who got deceived. See the trapped soul who can’t find their way out. See the person Jesus loves so deeply that He told their story to help us understand the heart of God.
And then, like the father in the parable, keep watching the horizon. Your prodigal may be closer to coming home than you think.
Be sure to get your copy of “Parents Prayers for the Prodigal” on the resource page.
Leave a Reply