Now I’m Running Home

“Is that a person? Running towards me? It’s just a speck in the distance. That can’t be a person. No one knows I’m coming home. And even if they did I’m expecting doors slammed in my face. Surely no one would be running to meet me. But it is a person! They are getting closer. I wonder if I should turn around. I’m sure I am the last person they want. But wait, is that? It is! That’s my father! But why is he running towards me? He’s almost here. Maybe I should throw myself on the ground and beg now. I can’t. He’s hugging me. He’s kissing me. He wants me.”

Running Home

This young man was coming home after leaving and spending ALL of the money that was his inheritance. This parable in Luke 15 shows us that he, the young man, had tasted all that the world, and money, and fun had to offer. And it left him with nothing. No friends, no family, no food! He ended up with a job feeding pigs and was so hungry he wished he could eat what they ate. So there he was, in the mud, beat down from all the “fun” and the Bible says in Luke 15:17 “When he came to his senses,” I love that. When he came to his senses. This dude was lost! Totally and completely lost. But even through that, he was able to see that the servants in his father’s house ate better than he was. So he decided to run home, repent, beg his father to forgive him, disown him as his son, and let him just live like a servant.

A Long Way Off

Verse 20 always blows my mind. “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.” This father was WAITING for his son. He had to be, otherwise he wouldn’t have seen him coming, especially not from a long way off. He’d already planned to forgive his son if he would only come home.

Well Done Welcome Home

What a beautiful picture of the grace that our Heavenly Father has given us. We were the Prodigal, wandering around chasing things that mean nothing. And maybe that’s you right now! But we can come running home and find rest and forgiveness in our perfect father’s arms. Josiah Queen-The Prodigal (Official Lyric Video) I love this song by Josiah Queen. And especially the ending. “I don’t want to lose my gaze, when I meet you face to face. Well done welcome home. Now I’m running home, like the Prodigal.” May we always be able to say that, “Now I’m running home!”