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Recognizing that you are lost is important—but eventually, you have to get up and begin the journey home.
In Episode 3 of Week 3 of The Journey, Pastor Evan Ryder continues exploring Jesus’s parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:17–24. After coming to his senses and recognizing how far he has wandered, the lost son makes a life-changing decision: “I will get up and go to my father.”
This is the turning point of his story—and it gives us a powerful picture of biblical repentance.
Repentance is more than feeling guilty, regretting the consequences of our choices, or recognizing that we have traveled in the wrong direction. Repentance is a response to God’s grace that produces a change of direction. The son does not remain in the pigpen thinking about how lost he is. He gets up and begins walking toward home.
Shame tells us that we are hopeless and should remain hidden. Saving grace tells us to acknowledge the truth—and then get up. The Father’s mercy is greater than our sin.
In this Christian devotional, you will be invited to enter the story personally by rewriting Luke 15:17–24 in the first person. Where the passage says “he,” write “I.” Allow the son’s recognition to become your confession, his decision to become your decision, and his journey home to reveal the direction God is calling you to travel.
In this episode:
• Why recognition must become action
• The difference between shame and repentance
• Why repentance is more than feeling guilty
• How saving grace enables us to turn toward God
• What it means to trust the Father’s mercy
• How to take one practical step toward home
Today’s Travel Log question:
What would it mean for me to get up and take one step toward the Father today?
Your next step may be an honest prayer, confessing something you have hidden, asking for forgiveness, contacting a trusted Christian friend, or surrendering an area you have tried to control. You do not have to complete the entire journey today. By God’s grace, you can get up and begin.
Rediscovering Faith is a Christian podcast hosted by Pastor Evan Ryder that helps listeners grow closer to Jesus through biblical teaching, personal reflection, practical discipleship, and prayer.
Scripture: Luke 15:17–24
Series: The Journey
Week 3: Saving Grace
Episode 3: “The Journey Home”
