He’s Running Toward You
Written by Sarah de Orlando
The dirt crunched under his sandals and hung his shoulders. He felt compelled to return to the familiar path. Fruitful rolling fields welcomed him, “I’ll be working them as a servant. I’ll have food to spare.” Every step brought him closer to his planned plea for forgiveness.
But while he was a long way off, a man with a weathered face with kind eyes looked out and saw the tattered, ashamed figure approaching. He knew who it was. He gathered up his robes and ran with arms stretched wide.
“Welcome home, my son.”
The prodigal child: I've been there. After years of wandering, I may have appeared fine on the surface but was deeply broken and wounded. I looked for purpose in the wrong places: relationships and achievement, running from my Father’s loving welcome. As a teenager and young adult, the decision to follow Jesus felt like restrictive rules to obey. Life seemed better without some aloof figure controlling how I found love and purpose. I believed lies; as Paul explains in Romans, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us,” (Romans 5:8 NIV).
Then one day in my mid-twenties, I was invited to church with a friend. A new worship song embraced my heart: Forever Reign. The lyrics spoke about the Father’s open arms and running into his embrace. It made me weep. I couldn’t explain it, but I knew I wanted more of Him. I needed more of his love and peace. Apostle Paul wrote, “the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace,” I craved life and peace, but I didn’t know what I longed for most was answered in Christ until that moment.
Now I realize I had missed experiencing the profound love and relationship with the Father. A relationship that welcomes us home while you’re still a mess with grace because of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins and overcoming death. That was what I craved in the deepest parts of my soul. And that’s why the Father runs toward us who are far off. He’s drawn close when we decide to return and make the courageous walk home. He welcomes all who return to him: “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22 NIV
Our heavenly Father offers the same invitation for us all. Despite the dirt and sin caked to our souls. Despite us believing we knew better or could have more fun without his restrictions. In the parable, he gathered up his robes and ran! It wasn’t normal in Jewish culture for men to run. But the father did it anyway; he ran toward his lost son. We all have gotten lost. We’ve all fallen short. That’s not a surprise to our Father. It makes all the sweeter knowing we have a Father who runs toward us when we choose to return to his love.
How about the older son? What was the state of his heart in the parable? He always had access to the blessings of the Father but didn’t ask. Instead, he judged and was bitter when his brother returned with a welcome party. Perhaps he wanted blessings without relationship. Have you stayed like the older son, hardening your heart and judging others?
Now, eight years into my recommitment to follow Jesus, I can forget the Father’s continual loving presence. I try to get things by my own effort instead of pausing to pray and lay them at my Father’s feet. I have to check my heart when I judge one of God’s children receives a blessing I wanted. I need to pause and notice - What do I want to ask the Father? What do I need right now? Where am I judging others and not addressing my own sin? Jesus says, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3 NIV)
In conclusion, whether you’re in a season of running from the Father, returning home, or faithfully serving, the Father loves you, longs for relationship with you, and provides good things for you. So believe in the Father’s goodness, run to him, tell him what you need, and trust he will answer you. He’s longing to hear from his beloved child.
CALL TO ACTION:
Read and pray over Luke 15:11-32.
Which son do you relate to more and why?
What do you long to tell your Father? What do you need?
What character trait stands out to you about the Father in this parable?
How can you see your heavenly Father like that?
