The Wayward Child

Author: Ayodeji Oludapo

Date: September 28, 2024

Scripture: "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country, and there squandered his wealth in wild living. " - Luke 15: 13 (NIV)

Devotional Thought

The story of the Prodigal Son begins with a bold decision—a son, full of pride, seeks independence. He is convinced that he knows best and no longer needs his father's guidance, love, or protection. He wants to see the world, make his own choices, and live on his own terms. So, he demands his inheritance and walks away from his father’s house.

The son in the story didn't just leave his father's home—he travelled to a strange land and mingled with people who did not know him and who didn't care for his well-being. He spent his inheritance on wild living, thinking that he was experiencing freedom. But instead of freedom, he found emptiness. His pride and reckless choices led him to squander everything that was meant to sustain him.

Similarly, when we stray from God's presence, we, too, can end up in unfamiliar territory, spiritually and emotionally. We may surround ourselves with people, activities, or pursuits that only pull us further away from the safety of God's love. Ultimately, what seems like independence can leave us feeling lost, empty, and desperate.

For the prodigal son, it took reaching the lowest point—feeding pigs and longing for their food—before he realized the gravity of his mistake. He finally understood that what he thought was freedom had become captivity. In his brokenness, he remembered his father's house, the warmth, the love, and the safety he once took for granted. With nothing left, he decided to return home, prepared to beg for his father’s mercy.

And this is where the beauty of the story shines through. The Father, who represents our heavenly Father, was waiting. He saw his son from afar, and rather than condemning him, he ran to him with open arms, filled with compassion and love. The son’s pride and rebellion didn’t matter anymore. What mattered was his return.

How many times do we need to experience our own brokenness before we turn back to God? Like the prodigal son, we can get caught up in thinking that we are sufficient on our own, only to find that without God, life leaves us empty. But no matter how far we’ve wandered, God is always waiting with open arms, ready to forgive, restore, and bring us back into His love.

Practical Reflection

• Are you wandering in a strange land right now? Have you been distancing yourself from God, thinking that you don’t need Him in this season of life? Take a moment to reflect on where self-reliance has led you. Consider the ways in which God is calling you back to Him, reminding you that He is your true source of strength and provision.

Closing Thoughts

The story of the wayward child is not about failure—it’s about redemption. God’s grace is always greater than our mistakes. No matter how far we have strayed, He longs for us to come back to Him. His love is unchanging, His mercy ever-present. All we have to do is turn back to the Father, who is already running toward us.

Prayer

Lord, I come before You as a wayward child. Forgive me for the times I have wandered away, thinking I could do life on my own. I recognize my need for You, and I ask for Your grace to lead me back into Your arms. Thank You for Your constant love and forgiveness, even when I feel unworthy. Help me to stay close to You, knowing that in Your presence is where I truly belong. Amen.