“It seems that all my bridges have been burnt

But you say that’s exactly how this grace thing works.

It’s not the long walk home that will change this heart

But the welcome I receive with a restart”

-Mumford & Sons

I’ve always been captivated by the spiritual undertones of early Mumford & Sons albums. Marcus Mumford’s devout Christian upbringing is evident in the spiritual themes woven through many of his lyrics. 

One of my favorite stanzas on the entire Awake My Soul album beautifully illustrates God’s grace and seems to subtly allude to the story of The Prodigal Son. 

With matches in hand and simmering smoke at our backs, the song lyrics remind us that it doesn’t matter how many times we’ve stumbled or how far we’ve fallen. It doesn’t matter how hopeless we feel or how undeserving we are of God’s grace. His unconditional love is not dependent on our current actions or past mistakes.

Much like The Prodigal Son, transformation doesn’t come from the homeward journey itself. Some of us can walk the longest roads and not experience true change. Each prodigal’s heart is only truly transformed when our loving Father runs to greet us, forgiving every last one of our mistakes and rejoicing in our return.

Regardless of your current or past circumstances, are you choosing to fall into your Father’s arms, allowing His grace and love to transform you from the inside out? He seeks us, even when we are far off, and His feet are always poised to run and welcome us the instant we are ready to turn to Him.