The story of the prodigal son is really a picture of how we, as sinners, have strayed away from God and desire to live our lives just as we choose - without God. It's a sad commentary on the human heart. Just like the prodigal, we take all the good things that the Father has provided for us and leave for the 'far country' to spend our time and resources on things that just don't satisfy. Only when the prodigal 'came to his senses' was he prepared to turn back again in search of all that he had left behind.