The sheep or the prodigal son?

The sheep did not get lost because it decided to abandon the shepherd. It simply drifted away. One step at a time, perhaps distracted, or following another path, until it realized it no longer knew where it was. When it finally realizes it, it is vulnerable, confused, and does not know how to return.

This is how it often happens to us. Distancing ourselves from God does not always begin with a major decision. Sometimes it starts with small distractions, a prayer left for later, the Bible closed for a few days, a worry taking up too much space, or a routine so fast-paced that, when we notice, we no longer know exactly when we drifted away.

But there is a wonderful hope in this story: the Shepherd goes after the sheep. When we cannot find the way back, God continues to look for us. His love does not depend on our ability to find our way. He knows the path to us.

Choosing to leave

“While he was still far off, his father saw him and, filled with compassion, ran to his son, and embraced and kissed him.”
Luke 15:20

The prodigal son lived a different experience. He was not lost without knowing where he was. He knew his father's house. He knew the way back. He knew who his father was and he knew where to find him. Even so, he decided to leave.

This is a harder reality to admit. There are moments when we are not simply confused: we are choosing. We know what God desires, we know His Word, we recognize His voice, but even so, we prefer our own paths. The Father could run after the son, but there are decisions that no one can make for another person. God's love does not turn our will into something He controls.

This does not mean the father stopped loving him. On the contrary. The father kept waiting. Every day, there was hope. And when the son finally decided to return, the father did not receive him with a speech of condemnation. He ran. The first step was the son's, but the embrace was already waiting for him.

A step toward the Father

“In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:10

Perhaps today you are like the sheep. Perhaps you have drifted away little by little, without realizing it, and now you are tired, confused, and do not know how to return. You do not need to find the way back alone. The Shepherd knows the place where you are. He continues to look for you, calling and extending His grace. Turn your eyes to Him, and ask for direction. Follow Him.

But, perhaps, you are like the prodigal son. You know exactly where God is. You know the way. You know His Word, you know His love, but you decided to experience a life far away. Perhaps you have built your own paths and are living far from the Father's house by choice. Even so, the door has not ceased to exist. The Father's love has not diminished.

The sheep needed to be found. The son needed to decide to return. In both cases, the Father's heart was full of love. God did not stop loving either of them. He continues to call those who got lost without realizing it and waiting for those who chose to leave.

Perhaps all you need today is to take a step. A small step toward God. Start praying again. Open the Word. Ask for forgiveness. Silence your heart. Simply say: “Father, I have returned. Show me again how to walk.”

And perhaps, as you look at the horizon, you will discover something that has always been true: He never stopped waiting for you. We are all children of God, sheep of the great Shepherd.