Are you feeling lost, like you've strayed too far from God's embrace? Do you yearn to find your way back home, to reconnect with your faith and rediscover the joy of walking with God? If so, I invite you to journey with me as we explore how to navigate the path back to God as young Christians. Together, let's embark on a journey of renewal, restoration, and rediscovery of God's unfailing love in our lives
In Luke 15, we see the parable of the prodigal son. Once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a wealthy man who had two sons. The younger son was full of adventure and eager to explore the world beyond his father's estate. He went to his father one day and said, "Father, give me my share of the estate." So, the father divided his wealth between his two sons.
With his newfound riches, the younger son set off on a journey to a distant land. He lived a life of extravagance, indulging in all kinds of pleasures and experiences. But soon, his money ran out, and a famine swept across the land, leaving him with nothing. Alone and desperate, the young man found himself working in the fields, feeding pigs just to survive. He was so hungry that he longed to eat the food meant for the pigs. In that moment of despair, he remembered his father's house and realized that even the servants there had food to spare. Let us put a brief pause to the story of the prodigal son and look at some steps you can take if you find yourself lost like the prodigal son.
1. Reach Out to Someone You Trust
As young Christians navigating through life's twists and turns, there are moments when we might feel lost and uncertain, yearning to find our way back to God. In these times of spiritual wandering, it's crucial to remember that the Christian journey is not meant to be walked alone. We need companions, guides, and mentors to lead us back home to God's loving embrace.
Christian life is not a solitary endeavor; it's a journey we undertake together, supporting and uplifting one another along the way. That's why having someone you trust, someone who embodies the values and principles of a good Christian, can be immensely valuable in times of spiritual need. Perhaps it's a friend from your church community, a mentor you look up to, or a family member who has walked a similar path. Whoever it may be, this person is someone you feel comfortable confiding in, someone who will listen without judgment and offer guidance with compassion.
Opening up to this trusted friend or mentor requires vulnerability and honesty. It means laying bare your struggles, doubts, and fears, acknowledging that you need help finding your way back to God. It's about humbling yourself before another person and entrusting them with your spiritual journey.
When you come clean to your friend or mentor, you're not only acknowledging your need for support but also affirming your belief in the power of community and accountability. You're recognizing that none of us have all the answers, and we all need guidance and encouragement from time to time.
By reaching out to someone you trust, you're inviting them to walk alongside you on your journey of faith. Together, you can pray, study the Scriptures, and engage in meaningful conversations that deepen your understanding of God and His love for you. Moreover, having a supportive friend or mentor can provide a sense of accountability, helping you stay on course as you seek to realign your life with God's will. They can offer gentle reminders, words of wisdom, and a listening ear whenever you falter or feel overwhelmed.
In essence, reaching out to a trusted friend or spiritual mentor is not a sign of weakness but a testament to your strength and humility. It's a courageous step towards reclaiming your faith and finding your way back to God's abundant grace and mercy.
2. Start Going to Church
In moments like these, returning to the familiar embrace of the church can serve as a beacon of hope and a pathway to rediscovering your spiritual journey. Perhaps you've drifted away from attending church regularly, caught up in the busyness of life, or struggling with doubts and questions that have led you to step back from your faith community. It's not uncommon for young Christians to experience periods of spiritual wandering, where the routines of prayer, worship, and fellowship take a back seat to the demands of everyday life.
However, as you stand at the crossroads of your faith journey, yearning to reconnect with God and His presence in your life, returning to the church can be a transformative step forward. The church is not just a building; it's a sacred space where believers gather to worship, learn, and grow together in their relationship with God. Attending church provides a sense of community and belonging, a place where you can find support, encouragement, and camaraderie among fellow believers. It's a place where you can lay down your burdens, pour out your heart in prayer, and find solace in the presence of God's people.
Moreover, the church offers a wealth of spiritual resources and opportunities for growth, from uplifting worship services and inspiring sermons to enriching Bible studies and meaningful fellowship. By immersing yourself in the life of the church, you open yourself up to receive the nourishment and guidance needed to reignite your passion for God and His Word.
Returning to church also offers a tangible expression of your desire to prioritize your relationship with God and prioritize your spiritual growth. It's a tangible step towards reclaiming your identity as a beloved child of God, reaffirming your commitment to walk in His ways and live out His truth in your daily life. Moreover, the act of returning to church is an act of humility, acknowledging that none of us have it all figured out and that we all need the love, support, and accountability of a faith community to navigate life's ups and downs.
3. Come to God in Repentance
In moments of spiritual wilderness, it's essential to remember the powerful act of repentance and confession as a means of finding your way back to God's loving embrace.
The story of the prodigal son, found in the Gospel of Luke, offers a poignant illustration of repentance and its transformative power. The younger son, driven by his desires and impulses, strayed from his father's house and squandered his inheritance in reckless living. But when he found himself destitute and desperate, he came to a profound realization of his waywardness and chose to return home.
Repentance, in its essence, is a turning away from sin and a turning towards God. It involves a deep sense of remorse for past actions, a willingness to acknowledge one's mistakes, and a sincere desire to change course. For the prodigal son, repentance was not merely a one-time event but an ongoing journey of self-reflection, humility, and transformation.
Similarly, as a young Christian seeking to find your way back to God, repentance is a vital step in the process of spiritual renewal. It's about examining your heart, confronting your shortcomings, and taking responsibility for your actions. It requires honesty and vulnerability before God, laying bare your struggles, doubts, and sins in His presence.
Confession is intimately linked with repentance, as it involves openly acknowledging your sins before God and seeking His forgiveness. Confession is not about wallowing in guilt or shame but about embracing the liberating power of God's grace and mercy. It's about humbly surrendering yourself to God's loving embrace, knowing that He stands ready to forgive and restore those who come to Him with contrite hearts.
Repentance and confession are not one-time events but ongoing practices in the life of a believer. They are a daily affair, a continual turning towards God and away from anything that hinders your relationship with Him. It's about cultivating a posture of humility, openness, and receptivity to God's transforming work in your life.
In the midst of life's struggles and uncertainties, it's easy to become ensnared by sin, doubt, and spiritual complacency. But repentance and confession offer a pathway to freedom, renewal, and reconciliation with God. They remind us that no matter how far we may stray, God's love and forgiveness are always within reach, ready to welcome us back into His loving embrace.
4. Refine Your Associations
The people we surround ourselves with have a profound influence on our beliefs, behaviors, and spiritual well-being. Therefore, it's crucial to forsake bad company and seek out relationships with individuals who are serious about life and share your desire for growth and spiritual maturity. Bad company, as the saying goes, corrupts good character. When we surround ourselves with individuals who do not share our values or who engage in behaviors that conflict with our faith, it can hinder our spiritual growth and lead us further away from God. Whether it's friends who encourage us to compromise our morals, acquaintances who ridicule our beliefs, or influences that tempt us to stray from our spiritual path, these associations can create barriers to our relationship with God.
Forsaking bad company doesn't necessarily mean cutting ties with everyone who doesn't share your faith or beliefs. It's about discerning which relationships are edifying and supportive of your spiritual journey and which ones are detrimental. It may involve setting boundaries, distancing yourself from negative influences, and prioritizing relationships that align with your values and aspirations.
Acquiring company that is serious about life and growth is essential for young Christians seeking to find their way back to God. Surrounding yourself with individuals who are committed to personal development, moral integrity, and spiritual growth can provide encouragement, accountability, and support along your journey.
Seek out friendships with fellow believers who share your faith and values, individuals who inspire you to live out your convictions and pursue a deeper relationship with God. Engage in meaningful conversations, Bible studies, and prayer groups with like-minded peers who are on a similar spiritual journey. These relationships can foster a sense of community, belonging, and shared purpose as you navigate life's challenges and joys together. Additionally, look for mentors and spiritual guides who can offer wisdom, guidance, and encouragement in your faith journey. Whether it's a pastor, youth leader, or older, more experienced believer, having a mentor can provide valuable insight, accountability, and support as you seek to grow in your relationship with God.
5. Forsake Your Old Ways of Life
Forsaking old ways is a transformative process that involves letting go of patterns of thought and behavior that are contrary to God's will and replacing them with new, life-giving ways of living that align with His teachings and values. It's about recognizing the ways in which you have strayed from God's path, acknowledging the consequences of those choices, and making a conscious decision to turn away from them.
For some young Christians, forsaking old ways may involve breaking free from unhealthy relationships or toxic environments that hinder their spiritual growth. It may mean distancing themselves from friends or acquaintances who encourage them to engage in behaviors that are contrary to their faith, such as gossip, substance abuse, or promiscuity. It may also require stepping away from environments or activities that foster negativity, cynicism, or moral compromise. (See temptation.)
Forsaking old ways also entails examining the attitudes and beliefs that have shaped your worldview and questioning whether they align with the truths of the Gospel. It's about challenging the cultural norms, societal pressures, and personal biases that may have influenced your thinking and led you astray from God's truth. It requires humility, introspection, and a willingness to confront the ways in which you may have been deceived or misled.
Moreover, forsaking old ways is a continual process that requires ongoing self-reflection, repentance, and renewal. It's not a one-time event but a daily commitment to walking in obedience to God's Word and allowing His Spirit to transform your heart and mind. It means embracing a life of humility, surrender, and dependence on God's grace to guide you on your journey of faith.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus calls His followers to "take up [their] cross and follow [Him]" (Matthew 16:24), implying a radical departure from the ways of the world and a wholehearted commitment to following His example. Forsaking old ways is an essential part of taking up your cross – it's about dying to self and living for Christ, forsaking anything that hinders your relationship with Him.
Conclusion
Filled with remorse and humility, the younger son decided to return home. He rehearsed his speech, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Please, make me like one of your hired servants."
As the son approached his father's house, his heart raced with fear and anticipation. But to his surprise and delight, while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and ran to embrace him. The father's love knew no bounds as he welcomed his lost son back home with open arms. Overjoyed, the father called for a celebration, saying, "For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!" The household rejoiced as they feasted and celebrated the return of the prodigal son.
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