In Luke 15 starting at verse 11, Jesus tells a parable of the lost son who decided to receive his inheritance early and go spend it on wild living to soon lose it all. When he came to his senses, he realized the only place he could find comfort and care would be in his father’s house.

The wave of emotions that came flooding in were doubt, worry, and shame for the son, much like the feelings we face when we become distant with God. But the thing we need to remember no matter the things we’ve done or the trials we’re facing, the Lord is running to us with his arms wide open filled with love and compassion.

Luke 15:20 says, “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.”

Jesus isn’t waiting for you to have it all together. He’s just waiting for you to turn to him and say, “I need you.” In the presence of Jesus, you are loved more than you can imagine and you don’t have to have your life spit shined and polished.

The father ran to his son after he had been living with the pigs. He didn’t care what he smelled like, looked like, or the fact he had wasted his entire inheritance with foolish choices. All he cared about was his son was home.

Run home to Jesus. Run into his arms and let Him love you and fill you with joy and peace to conquer anything the world throws at you. He doesn’t care what your life looks like or what your past may hold. Draw near to him and he will come running to you.