A Guide for Following JesusSample

"You can come home."

It wouldn't matter how far you stray, Jesus will always find you and invite you back home.

Our home on earth is the presence of God and intimacy with Jesus. And even when we run away from Him, Jesus always welcomes us back into His presence.

Like the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) who spent his father's money, slept around, and couldn't care less about the honor of his family — there came a day when he finally decided to make his way back home, shoulders slouched in shame. He didn’t know it, but all along there was a light on his father's front porch, a fire on the hearth, and a cozy robe draped on a chair. His father was waiting each day to see if his son would come home. When the father saw the boy finally returning, he went to him — sprinting! — to welcome his son back to where he always belonged. The father shouted, "He was lost, but now he is found!"

We tend to wander, straying off course, thinking we know the better way. But Jesus always knows where we are, and is always ecstatic to welcome us back home. He throws us a party, festivities beyond our wildest imaginations, delighted at our return.

Jesus knows exactly what you need. You are always found because we are in His care. No matter how far you wander, you will always be gladly — merrily! — welcomed back home.

There will come a day when Jesus will welcome us home to eternity, where He will bring heaven to earth, where there will be more crying or pain or sorrow. We’ll be home with Him forever.

But until that day, the invitation remains open: no matter how far you stray, you’re always welcome back home into the presence of Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You that You always welcome me home into Your presence. Thank You that Your power is unlimited and you came to set me and others free. Thank You that You wait, arms open, for the prodigal to return, that You look for his arrival to lavishly celebrate that he's come home. Thank You that someday You will welcome me home to eternity. I praise You for You are my Redeemer and Rescuer, my Savior and Good Shepherd.

Go deeper: Do you feel hesitant to return to the presence of Jesus? Take some time to picture yourself as a prodigal son or daughter returning back to Jesus. Picture His excitement to welcome you home.

To go even deeper, take a look at this video from our friends at BibleProject: