He’s already running toward you

God is not waiting for you and me to get our act together. He is not standing on the porch with arms crossed, tapping His foot, saying, “Fix yourself first.” He is running — full sprint, robe flying, dignity abandoned — because the moment we even think about turning toward home, He is already on His way to us.

I know this because I was the prodigal who had wandered farther than I ever thought possible.

I took my inheritance — every gift, every talent, every year of my life — and I squandered it in the worst kind of wild living. Sexual addiction. Affairs with co-workers, patients, strangers. Lies stacked on top of lies. I ended up in the pig pen of shame, spiritually starving, feeding on things that made me sicker, wishing I could have even what the pigs rejected. I rehearsed my speech a thousand times, “Father, I have sinned… I am no longer worthy to be called your son… just make me a hired servant.”, I was ready to grovel. I was ready to earn scraps. I was ready to live the rest of my life in the servants’ quarters, hoping God would at least let me stay on the property. But before I could finish the first sentence of my apology, I felt arms around me.

Strong, tear-soaked, laughing-crying arms. I looked up and saw Jesus — eyes blazing with delight, not disappointment — saying, “Quick! Bring the robe. Bring the ring. Kill the fattened calf. My son was dead and is alive again!” That day I learned that the Father’s love is scandalous. It breaks every cultural rule. It ignores every religious protocol. It runs when it should walk. It kisses when it should lecture. It throws parties when it should throw stones.

Romans 5:8 wrecked me all over again:

“While we were still sinners — still in the pig pen, still covered in mud — Christ died for us.”

He didn’t wait for me to take a shower.

He ran to me in the stench and loved me back to life. And if He did it for me — the fallen surgeon who hurt everyone he claimed to love — He is doing it for you right now.

The Father Is Running — Even Now

In Hebrew culture, wealthy men never ran. It was humiliating. Yet the Father sprints because love is always willing to look undignified to rescue the one He loves. The robe covered my naked shame with honor. The ring put authority and sonship back on my finger. The sandals declared I would never be a slave again. The feast shouted, “Everything I have is yours — welcome home!”. Pigs were the ultimate low for a Jewish boy. I was feeding spiritual pigs, and God still wanted me. There is no depth He will not dive to, no mud He will not wade through, to bring you home.

Psalm 23:6 promises that goodness and love will pursue you all the days of your life.

The word “pursue” is the same word used for an army chasing an enemy — relentless, unstoppable, fierce.

That’s how much God loves you, me and our children. 

Logos Became Rhema and Changed Everything

The Bible (logos) says God loves you. But one night, in the middle of my mess, it became rhema — a now-word that exploded in my spirit: “Pieter, I am not ashamed of you. I am proud to call you My son. Come home.” I wept like a baby. For the first time I believed I was lovable while still broken. That rhema word pulled me out of the pig slop and into the banquet hall.

Right now God wants to make the written word leap off the page and into your heart or your kids hearts with the same fire. God is declaring “You are Mine. I have loved you with an everlasting love. I am drawing you with unfailing kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3) over our lives and our children. 

You Don’t Have to Stay in the Pig Pen One More Second

I remember I felt a million miles away. I would think to myself, “If people knew… if God knew how far I’ve gone…” Guess what, God  knows. And He is running towards those of us that have said this or thought it. 

Then I experienced  the “older brother” mindset — faithful on the outside, bitter on the inside, mad that grace seems unfair.

The Father ran to me in that season too, wooing me to come join the party.

Wherever you, me or our children are it just takes one step toward home and He covers the remaining distance at full speed. We do not have to clean up before God is running. We do not have to pay Him back. We do not have to earn the robe, the ring, or the feast. They are already ours. 

A Prayer to Come Home Right Now

Father,

I thank You that You are running toward every prodigal reading this. Wrap them in Your arms before they can finish their apology. Silence every lie that says they’ve gone too far. Let them feel Your kiss, Your laughter, Your delight. Clothe them in honor, restore their authority, throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Turn their mourning into dancing and their ashes into beauty. Let them hear You shout, “My child is home!” In Jesus name, Amen.

The Father sees us and our children— even from a long way off — and He is already running. Our seat at the table has our name on it!

With joy and expectation, Pieter Lagaay