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Verse:“But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” —Luke 15:32, NIV
Brothers and sisters living under the same roof can develop distinct characters and follow different paths, as in the case of Esau and Jacob (e.g., Genesis 25:21–34).
In James and Ellen White’s family, their oldest son, Henry Nichols, had a more stable personality, while his brother, James Edson, was full of ups and downs, especially in financial matters. But even his spiritual life was not as it should be.
Over the years, Ellen sent him several letters appealing to him, but without many positive results. One time Edson even confessed in a letter to his mother, “I am not at all religiously inclined.” Ellen realized that Satan was leading her son astray. She prayed fervently on his behalf and sent him a long, appealing letter.
She said, “Your religious history need not have been vacillating, but firm and true; but you would be independent and take your own course. You have been strong one hour, vacillating the next. I am now determined to press upon your notice and make you hear: ‘This is the undertow.’” This appeal turned his life around.
On August 10, 1893, Edson wrote to his mother: “I have surrendered fully and completely, and never enjoyed life before as I am [enjoying it] now. I have for years been under a strain, with so much to accomplish, and it has stood right in my way. Now, I have left it all with my Saviour, and the burden does not bear me down any longer. I have no desire for the amusements and pleasures that made up the sum of my enjoyments before, but have an enjoyment in the meetings with the people of God such as I never had before.” A few days later, he added, “I have proved my own way and it is a poor way. I now want God’s way, and I know it will be a good way.” From then on, Edson lived a stable spiritual life. Perhaps you, too, have tried unsuccessfully to manage your life in your own way. Don’t wait. Surrender your life and all your plans to God right now.
If needed, you can even have a reconversion experience as dramatic as the prodigal son’s (Luke 15:11–32). Our heavenly Father is more than willing to embrace you and transform you into a citizen of His everlasting kingdom.