You may have abandoned God—but He has not abandoned you. In fact, He wants to welcome you and surround you with His love and protection from this moment on.

Do you remember Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son? (You can read it in Luke 15:11-32.) In it Jesus told about a young man who wanted to be completely independent and live his own life. He turned his back on his family, and went as far away as he could get. He was convinced he didn’t need anyone else telling him how to live—and for a time it looked like he was right. But then a famine hit and his money ran out. Only when he hit bottom did he wake up and realize his foolishness. His only choice, he realized, was either to die or return home.

But would his father reject him? He had abandoned his father; had his father also abandoned him? Fearfully he returned home—and his father ran to greet him and welcome him back into the family. He said, “Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again” (Luke 15:23-24).

Just as the father in Jesus’ parable never lost his love for his son, so God has never lost His love for you. The proof is that Jesus Christ gave His life for your salvation. Don’t let your pride, or anything else, keep you from Him any longer, but by faith put your life and your future into Christ’s hands.