COME BACK HOME

Home: a place of comfort, security, and renewal, a refuge from the world’s demands. It is the place you return to after the struggles of the day, a sanctuary where you rest and gain strength for tomorrow. Home is not just a physical structure; it’s where your heart finds peace, where your soul is nourished, and where your identity is affirmed. When you hear the phrase “come back home,” the likely picture that comes to mind is that of the prodigal son who leaves the safety of his father’s house, only to return in regret. This is an illustration of the consequences of straying from where we find rest. However, the focal point is not just on the selfishness of the prodigal son but on a deeper invitation to return to a place of rest, healing, and true belonging.

Matthew 11:28: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (NKJV)

Life often takes us to places where the things that once brought us comfort no longer suffice. Whether through trauma, anxiety, or disillusionment, we find ourselves far from our place of rest. The prodigal son left his father’s house in search of freedom and fulfillment but instead found himself feeding with the swine—an image that symbolizes degradation and despair. How could the son of a king, with access to wealth and dignity, end up in such a state? Yet, this is a reality many of us face. We leave our spiritual home, chasing after what we think will satisfy us, only to find ourselves lost, broken, and far from the rest that God desires for us. Our modern-day “feeding with swine” might look like being trapped in cycles of addiction, life’s pressures, or traumas. These things hold us captive, convincing us that we can fend for ourselves, away from the Father’s house.

Have you left home? If yes, what made you leave?

Was it the allure of independence like the prodigal son? Was it the influence of people around you, or the unresolved pain that made you feel unworthy of the Father’s love? Perhaps it was the belief that no one could understand or heal your wounds. Whatever the reason, the call remains the same: come back home.

The prodigal son’s journey back home was not just a physical return but a spiritual awakening. The Bible says, “But when he came to himself…” (Luke 15:17). This moment of clarity was the turning point. He remembered his father’s house—a place where even the servants had more than enough to eat—and he decided to return, not as a son, but as a servant. However, what does the father do? When the son was still a great way off, his father saw him, ran to him, embraced him, and kissed him. The son, in his sober state, began to confess his unworthiness, but the father interrupted him, commanding his servants to bring the best robe, a ring, sandals, and to prepare a feast. The father’s response was not just acceptance; it was a celebration of his son’s return.

Luke 15:24: “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found” And they began to be merry.(NKJV)

 The prodigal son’s story is a reminder that no matter how far we stray, our heavenly Father is always ready to welcome us back with open arms. He doesn’t hold our past mistakes against us; instead, He restores us to our rightful place as His children. Here the robe signifies a covering of grace, the ring symbolizes authority and belonging, and the sandals represent a renewed purpose.

This parable also speaks to the unconditional nature of God’s love. He sees us even when we are “a great way off,” and our return is not met with condemnation but with celebration. The Father rejoices over our decision to come back home, to find rest in Him once again.

Coming back home is not just about returning to a place; it’s about returning to a relationship with the One who knows us fully and loves us unconditionally. It’s about recognizing that our true rest, peace, and identity are found in the Father’s embrace. No matter what has led you away, the invitation stands: come back home. There is a place for you, and the Father is waiting with open arms, ready to restore, renew, and rejoice over you.