“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” Luke 25 - 32 ESV

Have you ever felt like you’ve been good all your life, yet it seems like you don’t get your proper recognition? You’ve walked with God since birth, you’ve not strayed to the left or to the right, yet it’s the strayer that gets celebrated for coming back. That’s how the prodigal son’s brother felt.

Unlike his younger brother who took all his inheritance and left the house and squandered it, he stayed home by his father’s side. He was responsible with his inheritance, and tended to the household responsibilities accordingly. You would think he would also be happy to see his brother return right? I mean, he still had everything, and wasn’t on the brink of starvation.

Just because you’ve always been walking by your heavenly father’s side doesn’t mean you don’t have to work on your character. But it also doesn’t mean that you’re less important or that your testimonies are less powerful. You’re still loved just as much, and still valued just as much.

The father celebrated his lost son because they were reunited, but he dined with his other son daily. One big celebration doesn’t mend all the mistakes, and hardship that the lost son had to go through, but it did bring him comfort knowing he was still welcomed home.

All this just to say: don’t grow tired of doing the right thing; keep fighting the good fight. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted just because it seems “more fun”. Don’t let sin seem more enticing than it really is, you don’t always need to make a mistake to grow because the Holy Spirit is constantly teaching and guiding us.

While you’re doing all that, don’t be self-righteous, unforgiving, and without grace towards those who have a bit of a harder time staying on the straight and narrow. You are both equally loved by our Heavenly Father, and equally cared for. Always be willing to extend grace, mercy, and kindness towards others.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 KJV