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Luke 15:20 “So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”

Think

There’s nothing quite like coming home. Whether you’ve been gone for a few hours or a few years, that moment of return always hits a little deeper. Home isn’t just a place—it’s where you’re known, where you’re loved, where you can exhale. That’s what makes Jesus’ story in Luke 15 so powerful. A son wanders, rebels, makes a mess. He burns through his inheritance and ends up feeding pigs, starving, ashamed, alone. And yet, even in his brokenness, there’s a whisper inside him: “I want to go home.”

He doesn’t know how his father will respond. He doesn’t know if he’ll be welcomed or rejected. But he gets up and goes. And what happens next tells you everything you need to know about the heart of God. The father runs to meet him. He doesn’t wait for explanations. He doesn’t demand repayment. He sees the son, still far away, and he moves toward him with open arms.

That’s the gospel.

We are all prodigals. Every one of us has run. Some ran through rebellion. Others through pride. Some chased status or success, while others simply drifted, slowly losing their way. But the ache is the same. Deep down, we all want to go home. We all want to be known and loved without fear. We want to be safe. We want to belong. And Jesus says, in no uncertain terms: You can come home.

Maybe you feel like you’ve gone too far. Maybe the mistakes, the shame, the questions seem too heavy. Maybe you wonder if God still sees you, still wants you. Hear this clearly: the Father sees you even while you are still far off. He’s not just waiting—he’s watching. And the moment you turn, the moment you start walking his direction, he comes running.

This is not a God who keeps score. This is a Father who keeps watch.

Home isn’t earned. It’s received. That’s grace. And that’s the beauty of heaven—it’s not just our future destination. It’s the place our souls have always been aching to return to. And the way back is through Jesus. He’s the path, the door, the invitation. He’s the one who made it possible for us to come home.

But this isn’t just a story about returning. It’s a story about restoration. The son comes back expecting to be a servant. He says, “I’m not worthy.” But the father interrupts. He throws a robe around him, puts a ring on his finger, and prepares a feast. He says, “This son of mine was lost and is found.” He doesn’t lower the standard—he restores the relationship. He doesn’t offer probation—he offers full adoption.

And that’s what Jesus does for you. He doesn’t offer you religion. He offers you relationship. He brings you all the way home and restores what you thought was too far gone.

And here’s what’s amazing: this story isn’t just for first-time prodigals. It’s for lifelong believers too. Because even after salvation, we can still drift. Our hearts get distracted. Our priorities shift. We chase comfort. We forget who we are and where our real home is. But every time we turn, he meets us. Every single time.

If you’ve been following Jesus for years, this is still your story. He’s still your Father. Heaven is still your home. And the invitation is still open: come home again. Come back to intimacy. Come back to purpose. Come back to joy.

One day, every believer will make that final journey home. One day, we’ll step into the full reality of what we were created for. No more wandering. No more longing. Just the embrace of the Father and the joy of eternal belonging.

But until that day, we get to live like people who know where home is. We get to invite others to come with us. We get to live in a way that reflects the heart of the Father—watching, welcoming, restoring.

If you’ve never made that decision—if you’re still in the distant country, wondering if God would ever want someone like you—this is your moment. You don’t have to earn your way back. You don’t have to clean yourself up first. Just start walking. The Father will take it from there.

Apply

Spend a few quiet minutes reflecting on where you are in this story. Are you far from home? Are you drifting? Are you near, but missing joy? Wherever you are, take a moment to turn your heart back toward the Father. If there’s someone in your life who has drifted, pray for them today. Maybe even reach out.

Pray

Father, thank you for running toward me when I least deserve it. Thank you for preparing a home for me, and for never giving up. I turn my heart toward you again today. Forgive me for drifting. Remind me who I am. Let me live from a place of belonging, and help me point others toward home. In Jesus’ name. Amen.