Coming Home - a Devotional for the Prodigal Heartنموونە

DAY ONE:

When Rock Bottom Becomes Holy Ground

Scripture Focus:
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” — Luke 15:20 (NIV)
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” — Psalm 51:17 (ESV)
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8 (NIV)

Devotional:
You don’t plan to hit rock bottom. It usually sneaks up on you after a long series of small compromises, late-night rationalizations, and self-convinced lies. You think you’re still in control—until you’re not. Until everything caves in and you’re left staring at the ruins of what used to be your life, wondering if God even looks in your direction anymore.

I remember my moment. It wasn’t theatrical—it was eerily quiet. I was exhausted. My heart was heavy with the weight of decisions that had brought me to that place, and my spirit was threadbare. I didn’t want to die, but I didn’t know how to live anymore either. My prayer was simple: “God, if You’re real, I need You now.” I didn’t realize it then, but that moment—my lowest point—became holy ground. Not because I had figured everything out, but because I finally surrendered.

That moment reminds me of Elijah in 1 Kings 19. After calling down fire from heaven and defeating false prophets, he found himself terrified and alone in a cave, asking God to end his life. Talk about a hard crash. But even there—in the cave, in the exhaustion, in the “I can’t do this anymore”—God showed up. Not in a whirlwind or an earthquake, but in a gentle whisper. God didn’t rebuke Elijah’s weakness; He met him in it.

The prodigal son experienced the same divine mercy. After wasting his inheritance, he didn’t even expect to be restored as a son—just maybe tolerated as a servant. But his father saw him from far off, ran to him, and wrapped him in grace before he could explain himself. That’s the gospel. God meets us not after we’ve cleaned up, but while we’re still messy, confused, and far off.

Psalm 51:17 tells us that God doesn’t despise a broken spirit. He treasures it. Why? Because brokenness cracks open the space where grace can pour in. If you’re at the end of yourself today, don’t resist it. That might just be the place where everything shifts.

Takeaway:
God doesn’t wait for you to climb your way back—He meets you in the dirt, wraps you in mercy, and walks you home.

Prayer:
Father, I don’t have all the right words. I don’t have anything polished to offer You. But I’m here. I’m worn out from trying to fix myself. Thank You that You see me while I’m still a long way off. Thank You that I don’t have to clean up to come close. I’m ready to return. Even now, even here.

Journal Prompt:
Think back to a moment in your life where you felt like you’d lost your way.

How did God meet you—or begin to draw you back?

Write out what you would want to say to Him in that moment, now that you’re on the journey home.