From Pigpen to Purpose

TODAY'S VERSE

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”
— Luke 15:20

REFLECTION:

There comes a moment when the filth becomes too much to bear. The moment you wake up in a place you never thought you’d be—surrounded by consequences, haunted by regret, and empty inside. It's called the pigpen.

But it was in the pigpen that the prodigal son remembered his father. It was there he realized he was not made to live with pigs, but to walk in purpose.

That same Father waits for you now—not with shame, but with open arms... yes, open arms.

Maybe you wasted years. Maybe you broke hearts, including your own. Maybe you're sitting in the mess of addiction, failure, or sin so deep you think you're disqualified.

But hear this: Our Father is not repulsed by your return. Quite the opposite. He's running toward toward you - full speed.

God doesn't just forgive; He restores. He gives purpose to the ones who almost didn’t make it. He places a robe over the shame, a ring on the finger, and a calling on the life of the one who dares to bravely come home.

You are not too far gone. The pigpen was not your ending—it was your turning point.

👉 SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES

“For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
— Luke 15:24

“He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.”
— Psalm 40:2

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
— Ephesians 2:10

COACHING QUESTIONS FOR JOURNALING & REFLECTION:

1. What “pigpen” have I found myself in and how did I get there?

2. What have I learned from being in the pigpen?

3. In what ways have I believed the lie that I’m too far gone?

4. What does God say about me instead?

5. What would it look like for me to truly rise up and return to my Heavenly Father today?

6. What robe, ring, or purpose might God be wanting to place on me—even now?

7. How can I use my story of rock bottom to show others that God still calls, restores and heals?

CLOSING PRAYER:

Father, thank You that You didn’t turn away when I turned my back on You. Thank You for running toward me, even in my lowest place. Help me to leave the pigpen and walk in the purpose You’ve prepared for me. Cover me in Your grace, clothe me in Your mercy, and use even my worst mistakes for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.