Read Luke 15:17-24 

The son says: "I am no longer worthy to be called your son." 

Notice what has happened. He sinned, failed and lost everything.

Yet he moves beyond describing what he did and begins defining who he is. 

He does not say: "I did something foolish." He says: "I am no longer worthy." 

The failure becomes the self. 

The father refuses this interpretation. Instead he says: "This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." 

Notice

• Lost is a condition

• Son is identity

The condition changed. The relationship remained. 

Reflection

What experiences for you have become identity statements?

What is the difference between:

• "I failed" and "I am a failure"?

• "I was rejected" and "I am rejected"?