By Peter Hallett
Published February 13, 2001
Listening to the radio broadcast of the Australian Open tennis women’s final, I thought for a moment I had tuned into an preaching program by mistake.
"The prodigal daughter has returned" declared an exultant commentator. "Look at her enjoying this moment of redemption" he continued.
The Biblical allusions were to Jennifer Capriati’s victory over favourite Martina Hingis.
Capriati was winning her first grand slam tournament 11 years after first playing in one as a 14 -year-old and showing incredible promise.
In the midst of those years the young Capriati feel from grace as she rebelled against her parents, lost form and fitness, was questioned over a shoplifting incident and eventually appeared in court after police found drugs in her possession.
By this time she had about as much chance of winning a major tennis tournament as I have! (Buckley’s and none!)
Hitting rock bottom is sometimes just what we need to put an end to destructive behaviour by causing us to admit our problems, call out for help and be willing to make the necessary changes.
Over several years, Capriati rebuilt her career with the help of her father/coach and it was a lean, in-form player who totally dominated Hingis in the final just a few weeks ago.
It is a credit to the communication skills of a carpenter from Nazareth named Jesus who lived 2000 years ago, that his story of a wayward, prodigal child might be the most apt description for use by a radio sports commentator in 2001.
Jesus story of the prodigal son so captures the drama of humanity that it is no less powerful today in a thousand different cultures as it was in his own small corner of the world all those years ago.
The son of a wealthy landowner, takes his share of the wealth before his time, squanders it irresponsibly, all the time blind to the empty destructiveness of his life. When his wealth runs dry and he is reduced to feeding pigs (a terrible fate for a Jew) he remembers his generous father and realises that even a lowly servant in his household would fare better than his current circumstances.
Making his way along the road home, the father races toward him - not with wrath and retribution - but with a parent’s stubborn love and willingness to restore the son to his former place - wrongs forgiven.
Jesus used this to illustrate our lives - the squandering of the gift of life in selfishness and pride - but also the response of God who longs to restore all who will take the long walk home (and even meet us half way!)
As Jennifer Capriati stood there - trophy raised, adorned in sponsor’s clothing, surrounded by smiling tennis officials and the adoration of fans, and watched by a loving father - we have a modern-day prodigal parable to draw from.
Can we relate that picture to how God will receive us, if only we would admit our pig-feeding ways, swallow our pride and return to him?
Read the original story for yourself in Luke 15 in the New Testament and take the first step back to him today by admitting your need and asking for his help.
WISDOM’S WAY: "Count on it - that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God." Luke 15:10 (Message Bible)