Back to the Father – Part 6

 Knowing Where You Belong

by Counselling With Conviction

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him...”
— Luke 15:20 (NIV)

There comes a point in every believer’s life where we must decide—not just if we believe in God, but where we stand with Him. Are we hiding in shame like Adam? Are we caught in comparison like Cain? Or are we watching from a distance like the older brother, unwilling to rejoice in someone else's return?

The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 has been preached and retold countless times—and yet it remains deeply personal to those of us who have wandered, or who have wept under the weight of being misunderstood within the Body of Christ.

In this final part of the Back to the Father series, we turn our eyes to the one person whose choice changes everything:
the younger son.

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🔁 The Journey to Come Home

This series began with a question—God’s question:
“Where are you?”
We’ve explored shame, false beliefs, community wounds, and our calling to walk in what is good.

But here, in Part 6, the focus shifts.
We are no longer lost. We are standing at the edge of the road.
And the Father is already running toward us.

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🙇‍♂️ The Role of the Believer: A Heart That Returns

The beauty of the younger son isn’t just that he returned.
It’s that he returned even though he thought he wasn’t worthy.
He came back because, despite everything, he knew where he belonged.

Many believers wrestle with this same tension.
They know the Father is good, but the voices of “older brothers” in the church say otherwise.

And unfortunately, when churches operate without real shepherding—when spiritual authority is handed out based on tenure instead of calling—it’s often the voice of the older brother that drowns out the compassion of the Father.

“All these years I’ve been slaving for you…”
“Why should he get restored?”
“Who does he think he is?”

Sound familiar?

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🐑 Seniority vs. Shepherding

Churches that reflect the older brother more than the Father often drift into legalism, elitism, or performance-driven faith.
Instead of rejoicing over the return of the hurting, they protect their position.
Instead of open arms, they offer crossed arms.

But the Father isn’t impressed with seniority. He’s drawn to surrender.
And true shepherds don’t protect power—they lead people home.

The believer must find themselves in the place of the younger brother—
not the shame, but the humility.
Not the guilt, but the gratitude.
Not the wandering, but the return.

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💬 The Father Still Runs

If you’ve felt unsure of your place in the church…
If others made you feel unworthy to belong…
Let this be your moment to say:

“I will arise and go to my Father.”

Because the truth is this:
Your place is not determined by what others think of you.
It’s secured by the love of the One who sees you while you’re still a long way off.

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🧭 Series Summary: Back to the Father

This 6-part series was written to help you return—not just to faith, but to the Father Himself:

1. Where Are You? – God’s first question is still His most loving.

2. What Have You Done? – Shame doesn’t scare Him. It draws Him near.

3. Who Told You That? – We must replace lies with His truth.

4. Trusting the Fellowship Once Again – Healing among His people is possible.

5. Walking in What is Good – Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly.

6. Knowing Where You Belong – Your place is with the Father—always.

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💛 Final Invitation

Believer,
Whether you are limping back or leaping into His arms,
Whether you feel fully restored or still far off…

The Father is waiting.
Not with rebuke.
But with a robe.
With a ring.
With joy.

Let the voice of grace be louder than the voice of comparison.
You know where you belong.

Back with the Father.