Rebel Son

Lyrics
Raising my flag the end
Of fighting this fight again
Feel on my own in the dark
I’m wondering where you are

Rebel son come on home
Lay down your heart lay down your stones
Finding peace where there once was pain
Finding love where there once was shame
Rebel son know your name
The God of Love guides your way

Choosing to hope again
You are no fiend but friend
Finding it hard to believe who You are
Though You are the light in the dark

Meditation
I did not grow up particularly Christian. We prayed during dinner and my father taught us about who Jesus was. I prayed to Him but I think I used Him as my personal genie when things were not going well. I was into “The Secret” style envisioning and believed that if I just tried hard enough to envisions my perfect future that reality would bend to my will. And though I still believe that faith and will has something to do with shaping reality I now know that it is by God’s grace that we get to participate in the shaping not because of my own power.

I started going to church when I was 15 or so and could not stand all the rules and perceived moralizing. So I rebelled against what I saw as tyrannical oppression. I argued with pastors and quoted Bible verses at them. And again, I believe there is always room for healthy dialogue in faith and there should be debate. But my heart was in a rebellious state. Now much later in my faith I have truly come to believe that God wants what is best for me. Truly. Not just for me but for future me, my family, my community, and everyone. What an amazing desire God has! And when I surrender sections of my life those sections are returned in a more harmonious and healthy manner. When I finally gave Him my whole self, He started working on shaping me into the image of love. And it’s not easy and there are painful parts and my heart still rebels. But I am beginning to see glimpses of the prodigal feast that awaits if I just continue down the road of surrender.

- kid in flight