Sunday
By: Brenda
“While You Are Still a Long Way Off”
Luke 15:11–32
(You guys may want to read the entire passage before beginning.)
The story is about a son who demands his inheritance from his father. Leaves home, waste all of it, and ends up desperate.
He returns home, expecting rejection.
Instead his father runs to him, forgives him, and celebrates his return.
His older brother resents the celebration, and the father reminds him that restoration and mercy are worth rejoicing over.
Jesus so tender in His teaching tells a story of this son who walked away from everything good. His home, his father’s love, his identity, and his future.
He did not drift slowly; he chose distance. He wanted freedom without relationship, and blessings without boundaries.
For some of us, this story may feel painfully familiar. Maybe we once walked closely with God. Maybe we once recognized His voice. Maybe we once lived in His peace, and in His presence.
Then life happened. Wounds happened. Distractions happened. Sin happened.
And somewhere along the way, we found ourselves far away from where we started.
And sometimes that distance is so great that turning back feels completely impossible.
Yet, Jesus told this story to show us exactly what God, our Father is like.
The prodigal son did not return home because he suddenly became holy.
He did not return home because he fixed his life. He did not return home because he felt worthy.
He returned home because he was desperate. He returned home because he remembered what his father was like.
Sometimes the first step back to God is simply admitting, “I can not keep living like this.” Not perfection. Not performance. Just honesty.
I think this is the part Jesus wants us to see most clearly:
That while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran…” The father did not wait on the porch with crossed arms. He did not demand explanations, and he did not shame him for the past.
Instead the father ran, he embraced, and he restored.
Before the son could finish his apology, the father was already calling for a robe, a ring, and a feast. The father was not interested in punishment, he was interested in reunion.
This is how God’s heart is towards us.
God is not reluctant.
God is not disappointed.
And God is not hesitant.
But God, our Father is running towards us with His arms wide open.
The prodigal son had a moment of clarity, a moment when he realized he did not have to stay in the far country.
He did not know how his father would respond, but he knew he could not delay.
There is a holy urgency in this story Jesus told that day. It is not fear-based. It is not pressured. But it is real.
Life is short. Hearts grow hard, and opportunities pass.
If you have walked away, even for a moment, be still and listen.
Can you hear God, our Father whispering, “Come home while you can still hear My voice.”
Do not wait for a better moment.
Do not wait until you feel worthy.
And do not wait until you have cleaned yourself up.
Come while you are “still a long way off,” because God, our Father is already running towards you.
You will never be beyond God’s reach.
You will never be beyond God’s mercy.
And you will never be beyond God’s love.
Whenever we take a wrong turn, even for a moment. God is watching the road for us.
Every day. Every moment. With every breath.
God will never give up on us.
God will never change His mind about us.
Oh, how God loves us ❤️
Dear Father in heaven,
I come to You today lifting up any and all who have wandered away.
Father, I thank You for being a God who waits, who watches, who runs toward us even when we feel unworthy.
Father, give us the courage to turn back, the humility to receive Your mercy, and the faith to believe that Your arms are truly open for us.
Restore what has been broken. Heal what has been wounded. Renew what has grown cold. And draw us close again, and let us live as Your beloved child.
In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.
Have a blessed day 🙏
God loves you ❤️
And so do I ❤️