Return, Oh Wanderer, Return
Have you ever felt a burden for someone you love who has strayed from the faith? Maybe it’s a friend—whether it’s someone you’re close to now or once were. Perhaps it’s a child, a sibling, or any loved one living in a way that contradicts the truth they once knew.
If you’ve ever felt this way, I want to encourage you:
you are not alone.
Whether you realize it or not, there are many people who have experienced this same type of burden. But what’s often the hardest part—at least from my perspective—is loving someone from a distance. When you can no longer connect with them the way you once did, whether it’s relationally, emotionally, or even physically.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably wrestled with questions like: What do I need to do? What do I need to say? How can I help them come back? And let me be clear—there’s nothing wrong with these questions. Scripture even encourages us to bring wandering souls back to the truth:
“Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
— James 5:20
But here’s the thing—if again you’re anything like me, you can slowly start to carry the weight of their salvation as if it rests on your shoulders. And my friend, that’s where we need to pause. Salvation belongs to the Lord—it always has, and it always will.
As believers, we know this truth in our heads, but let’s be honest: sometimes, we forget it in our hearts. Our love and concern for this person can cloud our understanding, making us feel responsible for their salvation when, in reality, only God can change hearts.
So today, I want to speak to two groups of people who may be reading this:
To the Wanderer
To the Loved One of the Wanderer
To: The Wanderer
I think about the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32. The son wanted his inheritance now, before the appointed time. The text doesn’t explicitly say this, but clearly, his desire was rooted in a lack of contentment. Instead of trusting his father and being content with what he had, he chose to take “his” money and live life on his own terms.
(Sidebar: I’ve noticed a recurring theme lately—how so much of our struggles with contentment and sin go back to the original fall (Genesis 3). That first deception—the idea that God is withholding something good from us—that what He has provided isn’t enough. And today we still struggle with this belief, which results in us deceiving ourselves that what God says will lead to death will actually lead to life. End of Sidebar.)
But here’s the thing: we’re all like this son in some way. We are prone to wander, to think we can find joy on our own terms. And yet, there comes a moment when we realize that the things we thought would fulfill us—sex, success, relationships, whatever it may be—are empty without God. The blinders come off, and we see clearly that the joy we were seeking was never found in those things. It was always in God, in His grace, in His love.
Maybe you’re at that crossroads now. Maybe the things you once thought would bring fulfillment no longer do. So I’m here to tell you: it’s time to return to your Father’s house.
That’s where you will find refuge. That’s where you will find forgiveness, mercy, and grace—things you don’t deserve but that are freely offered.
Now, maybe you’re reading this and you think: I don’t see any problem with my life. Or I don’t believe in the God you talk about anymore. Or I “love” God and can live my life how I want. To you, I would say: Please, in love, study what the Word of God says about sin, grace, and love.
God’s truth will begin to clash with your current perspective. And when that happens, you’ll have a choice to make: will you accept God’s truth, repent, and return to Him? Or will you continue down your own path? The decision is yours, but you must either be hot or cold (Revelation 3:15-16).
As I write these words, I am praying for you. I pray that the Holy Spirit would open your eyes to the depth of your sin, the limits of your understanding, yet the endless well of God’s grace. May you be drawn back to the Father’s house, where you belong—worshiping Him in spirit and truth.
To: The Loved One of the Wanderer
First and foremost, pray!
I know, maybe you were hoping for a more practical solution, but if there’s one thing the Lord has been teaching me in this season, it’s that He not only hears our prayers but moves on behalf of them.
Think about your own salvation. Was it anything you did that saved you? The correct answer is: No. You and I cannot save ourselves let alone anyone else—no matter how much we love them, no matter how much we try. God is sovereign, and He alone is the one who saves.
I say this to free you from the burden of feeling responsible for their salvation. Trust that the same God who was merciful enough to save you is the same God who loves them far more deeply than you ever could. He created them. He knows them completely. And He cares for them in ways you cannot fathom, so, who better to entrust them to.
Second, let your life in Christ shine—both privately and publicly.
If we preach the gospel but fail to live it, we are hypocrites. But if we live out the gospel with sincerity, the Lord can use our example. Remember: faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17) so remain faithful in teaching the truth. However, you should live in such a way that your loved one sees the truth of the gospel not only in your words but in your life.
So, be encouraged. God hears your prayers, and even if it seems like nothing is happening, He is working in ways you cannot see. Your faith, your prayers, and the light of Christ in you are never wasted. God is still in control, and He is still working.
If you’re carrying the weight of a wandering loved one, I hope these words offer some encouragement to you. Whether you’re the wanderer or the one who loves them, remember that ultimately, salvation belongs to the Lord. He is faithful to pursue, to call, and to bring those who are His back to Himself.
