READ: LUKE 15:11-32; COLOSSIANS 1:11-14; 2:13-15; 1 JOHN 1:9–2:1

There was no going back. Talia took a step forward, reached out, and grabbed the berry. It was as black as night, blacker than any berry in her home realm, and plump with juice.

“What are you waiting for?” the mage asked.

“I’m not sure,” she said. “Was my life really all that bad?”

“Your father was keeping you from being happy, right?”

Talia shrugged and looked away. “I don’t know. I’ve lived in this dark realm for too long. All I can remember is how much he loved me.” A tear trailed down her cheek, and she wondered where it came from.

“Take a bite. You’ll forget all that once more.”

She lowered the hand holding the berry and looked behind her, down the path from which she had come.

“It’s too late for that,” the mage said. “You knew the deal. Once you accepted my offer, you abandoned that life. There is no way back.”

Another tear fell, and she took a shuddering breath. “I want to go home. I made a mistake.”

He laughed. “You are home, girl. Enough of this. Eat the berry. I’ve other things to do, you know.”

She glared at him. “You tricked me. You promised I would be happy here.”

“Tricked you? You knew exactly what you were doing when you followed me.”

She closed her eyes. It was true. Her father had warned her to stay away from the dark mage. “I was wrong, Father,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

Then, as though carried on the breeze, she heard His voice.

Return to me.

Even here, in this dark realm, the power of her father’s love called to her. It wasn’t too late.

Facing the mage once more, she released the berry. It fell on the path and burst, its poisonous juices burning the ground like acid.

He stepped forward and grabbed her arm. “You can’t defy me. You belong to me.”

“Not anymore.” Wrenching her arm free, she turned and ran down the path, the power of her father’s love protecting her and guiding her steps.

She was going home. • Jessica McFarland

• Have you ever felt like Talia in today’s allegorical story—that you had gone too far for God’s love to reach you? Bad decisions can lead us to dangerous places. But Jesus always comes for us, always offers us a way home. He died and rose again to forgive us and set us free from sin. Because of His powerful love, we can choose to reject the sins we thought we wanted, and we can listen to His voice instead (Psalm 119:32). Are there any sins you want to give up, but you feel stuck in? Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus about these, asking Him to show you how He is providing a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:14-16). In addition to talking to Jesus, who are trusted Christians in your life you could talk to about this—people who will listen with compassion, encourage you in your walk with Jesus, and pray with you and for you?

• Sin is very powerful, but God’s love and Jesus’s sacrifice are even stronger. What does Colossians 2:13-15 reveal about our sin and God’s power?

• If you want to know more about how Jesus rescues us from sin and death, and what it means to put your trust in Him, see our "Know Jesus" page.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (WEB)