Run To The Father

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.”