When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need.
 But when he came to himself, he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare,

but here I am dying of hunger!” (Luke 15:14,17)

 Luke 15:11-32

Squandering our resources on selfish pleasures results in their depletion. The prodigal son in this parable lost all his wealth and had to get a job. The only job he could find was feeding the pigs. This would have been the least glamorous of all menial tasks in his time. Yet, it wasn’t enough to keep him, and he wished he could eat what the pigs were eating.

This young man had reached “rock bottom”. He was desperate. He was alone. He had run out of options. Yet, this was when he realised there was a way out. He could return to his father.

I am reminded of how it is often only when people who have an addiction hit rock bottom that they can acknowledge their disease, seek help and decide to make the changes necessary to live full and healthy lives. The same can apply when we ignore symptoms of physical ailments and mental illness. Only when we can no longer cope and function in society do we seek and embrace the help we need.

Our spiritual lives can be the same. When our situation is no longer tenable, we return to God and open our hearts to God’s healing touch.

Reaching an all-time low is an opportunity for God to begin to work in our lives​. As J.K. Rowling writes, "Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I built my life." 

What do I need to do today to turn back to God?

Reflections by Ursula van Nierop

Gracious God,
You allow suffering and difficulties in the world and use them as opportunities to reveal to us our need for you. 

Thank you for the gift of reaching “rock bottom” and being there when we turn to you for help.
Amen.

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