Run to the Father
Grace to you peace from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ! Dear brothers and sisters! Today we are going to explore running to the Father. I want you to imagine something with me. Picture a child playing far from home, distracted by everything around — maybe chasing a butterfly, exploring unknown corners of a park, or playing with friends. Suddenly, the child realizes they are lost. A feeling of fear and loneliness sets in. But then the parent sees the child, and instead of scolding, they run toward the child, arms wide open, with joy and relief. That is the heart of God toward us.
We all wander at times—morally, emotionally, spiritually. We make decisions that take us away from Him. We feel distant, ashamed, or even unworthy. Yet God doesn’t wait to punish us; He waits to restore us. Luke 15 has the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. In each story, the message is the same: God rejoices when we return to Him.
Even before we dive into Scripture, ask yourself: “Where in my life have I wandered? Where do I need to run to The Father today?” Continue to think about that as we explore what it means to return, to be restored, and to rejoice in God’s love. Rejoice in God’s love and rejoice in His truth. And the truth is— your sin does not define you.
Your Sin Does Not Define You
We all carry mistakes, burdens, and regrets. Sometimes, we allow these failures to define us, convincing ourselves that we are unworthy of God’s love. But Scripture tells us otherwise. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Think about that. God doesn’t keep a record of wrongs in order to condemn us. He looks at our hearts and sees the willingness to turn back to Him. “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) James 1:14–15 reminds us that but each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. It is a cycle—but God’s grace interrupts that cycle. He restores. He cleanses.
The prodigal son is the ultimate example. He demanded his inheritance, left home, wasted his resources, and ended up in misery. Yet when he decided to return, his father didn’t condemn him or list his failures. He ran to him, embraced him, and celebrated. That’s God’s approach to us. Our failures do not define who we are in His eyes. Let me say that again: Our failures do not define who we are in His eyes
Where in your life, have you allowed sin to define you. Take a moment each day to confess and release. Even small sins, hidden failures, or daily struggles — give them to God. Trust that they (your sin) do not define you.
Because your sin does not define you, there’s a deeper truth: you are God’s child.
You Are God’s Child
(John 1:12) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. Our identity is not shaped by our mistakes, failures, or even our accomplishments. It is shaped by God’s love for us. Romans 8:1 tells us: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Even when we feel distant or unworthy, we belong to Him. Ephesians 2:1–5 reminds us that we were dead in sin, yet God made us alive with Christ. That is grace, not because we deserved it, but because He is love.
The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son each represent people who had wandered but were still His children. God’s love is unconditional. He rejoices over every step we take toward Him. When we internalize this truth, our lives begin to reflect it. We no longer run from God out of fear; we run toward Him out of love and trust.
Think of your child first learning how to ride a bike. Even when they fell, you cheered them on, helping them try again and again. That is God’s heart. He doesn’t stop seeing you as His beloved child just because you stumble.
This leads us to a vital truth: returning to God is not a one-time event — it is a repeated choice, day after day.
My third point is Come Back to God Again and Again
Life is full of temptations, distractions, and failures. But the invitation to return to God is always open. Psalm 55:22 encourages us: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Returning isn’t about being perfect; it’s about turning your heart toward Him. John 5:24 promises that those who hear Jesus and believe have eternal life and will never be condemned. Luke 19:10 reminds us that the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Even if you stumble or take a wrong turn, the LORD is still there. That is our God. He waits for us to come back, again and again, no matter how many times we wander.
Are you waiting for the “perfect moment” to return to God, or can you take the step today? What burden can you hand to Him right now?
And here’s the incredible truth — even when we feel hesitant or ashamed, God doesn’t just see our actions; He sees our hearts.
God Sees Your Heart, Not Your Sin
We often focus on what we’ve done wrong, but God looks deeper. Proverbs 27:19 reminds us that just as water reflects the face, our hearts reflect who we are in God’s eyes. Matthew 12:34b says that the heart produces what the mouth speaks, yet God looks at our inner intention.
The prodigal son’s father celebrated not just because the son returned, but because his heart was truly turning homeward. God sees sincerity, effort, and repentance. Even when our steps are small or shaky, He rejoices.
Think of an artist painting. The value is not only in the brush strokes but in the intent and heart behind the creation. That is how God views your life — He notices your sincere steps, your prayers, your willingness to return.
All of these truths come together in a recurring theme we see throughout Scripture: God’s grace pursues, restores, and celebrates.
The Recurring Theme of Grace
The Bible says, And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17
Luke 15, as a whole, is a celebration of grace. The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son remind us that God is always seeking, always rejoicing, and always ready to restore. This is not just an ancient story; it’s a living reality. Every time we turn back, He meets us with joy. Every confession, prayer, and act of surrender is met with celebration in heaven.
How has God’s grace shown up in your life? How can you respond by sharing that grace with others?
Today, make a conscious choice to run to the Father. Confess, surrender, and take one tangible step toward restoration — whether that’s prayer, seeking reconciliation, or reading His Word.
There are three parables in Luke 15 that teach us about God’s love for the lost. In the first, a shepherd loses one sheep out of a hundred. That’s just 1%, but he leaves the ninety-nine to search for the one. The sheep is innocent and does not know how to return on its own. If it stayed lost, wild animals could harm it, yet the shepherd goes after it with care and determination.
In the second parable, a woman loses one silver coin out of ten. The coin is not alive and cannot come back to her—it requires effort and attention to find. She searches until she finds it, showing the value of what is lost and the joy in restoring it.
In the third parable, a father has two sons, and one leaves home. Unlike the sheep or the coin, the son can make his own choices. He is capable of returning, and when he finally does, the father welcomes him with open arms.
These parables remind us that every lost person is precious to God, whether they are innocent like the sheep, unable to return on their own like the coin, or capable of making choices like the prodigal son. God rejoices when the lost come back to Him.
Running to the Father Today
So, what do you take away today?
Your sin does not define you — God’s love is bigger than all your failures.
You are God’s child — cherished, loved, and pursued. As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
Come back to Him again and again — it’s never too late, and every step counts.
God sees your heart, not your sin — He rejoices in your sincerity and effort.
No matter where you’ve been, what you’ve done, or how often you stumble, God calls you to run to Him. There is freedom, joy, and restoration waiting. And the most beautiful part? He runs to meet you, carries you if needed, and celebrates your return.
Closing Prayer: Father, thank You for Your unending love and patience. Thank You for seeing our hearts, not just our failures, and for celebrating our return. Teach us to run to You every day, to trust in Your grace, and to rejoice in being Your children. Help us share this love with others so they too can know the joy of returning to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
