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The Power of Prodigals
By Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International
Prodigals are amazing people. It is my belief that all prodigals are hijacked heroes in need of our grace and patience. They are usually individuals with amazing callings—the children that parents would describe as extraordinary, “miracle children.” Often they are the ones born under difficult circumstances and overcame great odds.
As director of Exodus ministries I work with recovering homosexuals on a daily basis. I have never met a person struggling with homosexuality that wasn’t obviously called to strategically impact the world for Christ. That may seem like an outlandish claim. But when surrendered to Christ, these prodigals change the world! I don't believe there are parts of the body of Christ that are more significant than others, but I do believe that there are parts of the body that are more integral to the life of the whole body—parts that enable the rest of it to thrive and function properly.
Take the right portion of the brain—that creative, artsy, vocal, visionary and leadership side. I think the church is sometimes paralyzed or rendered less effective because it is so obviously missing much of its right brain. The secular world certainly has Christendom beat when it comes to pizzazz, flare, originality, fun and focus.
Think for a moment about the Hollywood crowd and the music industry, which homosexuals are often involved with. They are amazingly talented and we are mesmerized by their lives. Can you think of as many areas of the body of Christ that have captured public imagination in a similar way? I can't. Sure, there are a handful of churches, groups and people that we are really drawn to, but there isn't as much in the church that captivates us like the people and things outside the church.
And look at how splintered we Christ followers are. Now, look over at the gay community. Take my word for it. There may be disunity behind closed doors but you'd never know it. They get a lot more done than we often do because they are focused on and sold out to their goal.
I have long believed that the devil purposely goes after those that he knew were destined to be strategic public influencers: musicians, actors, educators and even preachers. The people who draw the biggest audiences are at the greatest risk. The enemy was very crafty by stealing those who have the loudest voices. He might have left the church with the hardest workers, the most faithful and hospitable, but without the right brain we are out of balance, out of order and less effective.
As I have learned to look at the prodigals with the Father's heart, I no longer see them as merely lost, but rather as missing. They are missing from their callings, their place in the body and their partnerships with all of us. They are the missing pieces of the puzzle. When I think of gay activists I try to pinpoint what amazing gifts and talents they have and how those talents could be used—not in pursuit of misguided goals—but for the greater good in the body of Christ.
We in the church so often resemble the older brother: bitter, angry, unwelcoming, pious, prideful and arrogant. We are proud of the fact that we are the ones that have gotten it right, served the Father, and been the steady sons. All the while our Father in heaven is standing at the gate looking, waiting and expectantly hoping for that first glimpse of His prodigal making his or her way home. The Father wants the church to have that same desire for reconciliation, restoration and unity. He is begging us to open our hearts to those who have gone astray. He desperately wants our hearts to beat in concert with His as each beat says, “Souls. Souls. Souls.”
I have a goal this year of focusing my time looking for the precious in people rather than focusing on the worthless in them. I am going to pray that the missing pieces of the body find their way home. I am going to pray that the body becomes unified despite its differences and begins respecting each other’s gifts, while using its gifts to reach the missing.
A few years ago a speaker rocked my world during a pastors conference when he said, “God is in love with the homosexual, the drunk, the idolater, and the addict.” This pastor was tuned in to the Father’s heart for the prodigal. His words made an indelible mark on my heart. They will guide me for the rest of my life. I want to stand with the Father at the gate waiting for the prodigal, poised to run down the road to meet him with open arms. I don’t want to be the jealous, bitter older brother who desires retribution over restoration.
I am praying for your prodigal. I am praying for a mass exodus from slavery and from the wilderness. I am trusting God for an overwhelming pilgrimage into the promised land. We need the prodigals as much as they need us. Join me in focusing your desires and resources on impacting the church with the message of the Father's heart for the missing!
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