You Can Always Come Back


Imagine you rebelled against your father, thinking that your way was better than his, only to realize that life wasn’t better and having to make a long walk home. On the way you come up with a speech, hoping he will accept you back but thinking that’s not likely. You get home and realize your father has been looking out to the horizon each and every day you were gone, hoping you would return home. He comes running towards you and you get ready to give him your speech. He totally ignores it and greets you with open arms, showing mercy and grace towards you. Instead of punishing you, he throws you a party. What great love!

I’ve been that rebellious son. I saw the lights out in the distance and went out to explore and see what life had to offer, only to end up in a pigpen, knowing that there was only one option…return to the Father. On the journey back, the enemy filled my mind with lies. “You’ve gone too far.” “God won’t love you the same way again.” “Going back and living for God means missing out on the best life has to offer.”

What I didn’t realize was that God was always looking out to the horizon, hoping I would return to Him one day. When I returned, instead of shaming or retaliating against me for my sin, He showed me mercy. When I thought I wasn’t good enough, He showed me grace. His love for me is more than I could ever comprehend.

The Long Walk Home is a book a that dives deep into one of the most well-known stories in the Bible, the Prodigal Son. Even though this parable of Jesus is 21 verses, there are many deep truths that Jesus teaches. This is a book that I highly recommend everyone of all ages read. We all have had our moments where we decide to leave God and explore if life has something better to offer. We give up on God. We let go God, but God never lets go of us.

Friends, it doesn’t matter how far you’ve gone, what your past has been, what you’ve done. You can return to the Father. He’s not waiting to punish you. He’s waiting to welcome you with open arms. That’s why He sent His Son Jesus. He loves you so much that the thought of you being separated from Him grieves Him. He wants to have a relationship with you. Have you returned home to the Father?

*I received a free copy from B&H/LifeWay Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

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