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.
Luke 15:20 NIV
This is one of the finest word pictures in the Bible: God running to His children!
Jesus told this parable, not about a boy, foolish in his youth who squanders away all his wealth and then comes cowering back to an expectant father. Oh, it's a great story, and that is what occurs in the story, but this story is about you and me.
Jesus is describing for us how God feels about His children. If you are a child of God, bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus through your faith in Him and Him alone to save you, then God will always be ready to welcome you home! God will never give up on His children.
Now He may discipline you, even to the point of bringing you home to Heaven, but you can rest assured He will never forsake you. You are His, and He will wait for you as His own.
Stop for a moment and picture this story as Jesus meant for you to. You are the prodigal child. You have wandered away from the comfort and protection of your Father God. You have wasted your life on wild living. Oh it was fun at first, but then the new wore off and you were homesick. You realized what you had given up. What you wouldn't give to go home.
But, how could you? You had traveled so far. Your pride was at stake. People would say, “I told you so.” Your friends might make fun of you. How could He ever forgive you for what you have done? And does He really want you to come home anyway?
Still, anything is better than where you are at. So, you head for home. But, before you can even see the front porch, while your head is still hanging low, you hear a sound. It sounds like footsteps. Heavy footsteps. You look up, almost afraid to, and you see a sight never seen before!
GOD IS RUNNING TO MEET YOU! God, the Creator of stars is running to greet you, a sinner, and welcome you home. He isn't coming with a frown or a smirk of anger on His face. He has His arms open wide! He has on a great big smile! He has that loving twinkle in His eye, the kind He always had when He was proud of something you did!
He reaches you and instead of shouting insults at you, He tells you how pleased He is to have you home. There are tears in His eyes! He lets out a shout of joy. He orders a party to be held in your honor! He tells the angels to get the band playing! GOD IS GLAD YOU HAVE COME HOME!
Maybe you need to go home today. God is waiting. He's probably over half-way towards you right now! All you have to do is turn around, and head for home!
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I may not see in front of me, But I can see for miles around when I look over my shoulder, and Lord, it`s clear. You`ve brought me here, So faithful every step of the way. What can I do but follow you, For You are the Way, the Truth, the Life, And You`ve promised never to leave me, My Savior, my friend, From beginning to end. 
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