Still His Son: Lost, Found, and Forever Changed by God’s Loveનમૂનો

Identity Over Shame

In my “You Are Loved” podcast, I’ve had the privilege of sitting across from some incredible men, men who’ve hit rock bottom, who’ve lost everything, who’ve been buried in shame and still heard the voice of God call them son. Their stories stayed with me long after the recording stopped, because they reminded me that grace doesn’t flinch at the mess. It runs toward it.

Mitchell’s story is one I’ll never forget. He didn’t come from much, and by the time he was grown, he was already used to pain. Drugs, prison, broken relationships—it was all normal. But after serving time, Mitchell wanted something different. He reached out to his father, hoping they could rebuild. One night, it all fell apart. A fight turned violent, and Mitchell’s dad stabbed him. Bleeding in a parking lot, he believed what life had always told him: he wasn’t worth much.

But God didn’t leave him there.

Then there’s Jonathan—a dad who had already walked the hard road of recovery. But when his son was murdered, the weight of that loss nearly crushed him. He turned back to old habits, ashamed that he’d failed again. But even there, in the depths of grief and regret, God never let go.

Maybe you’ve been there: staring at the ruins, thinking it’s over. Maybe you’ve heard that voice in your head saying you blew it, you’re done.

But God says something else: You’re still My son.

Not because you’ve earned it. Not because you haven’t fallen. But because if you’ve accepted Jesus as your Savior, then your identity is secure—you belong to Him. You are still His son. He’s the kind of Father who runs toward His kids, even when we’re still a long way off.

Reflection Questions:

1. What part of Mitchell or Jonathan’s story feels familiar to you?
2. What do you imagine God sees when He looks at you?

Prayer:

God, I’ve fallen short in more ways than I can count. But today, I want to believe that You still see me… that You still want me. Remind me that I’m not too far gone. Help me believe I’m still Yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.