August 24, 2026 Devo

When my wife talks about the story of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15, she often refers to him as having a “mirror experience.” If you remember the parable that Jesus told, there was a father who had two sons. The younger son asked for his share of the inheritance in advance and took off. He blew the money on wild living. He ended up feeding pigs for a job, which would be the lowest of lows for a Jew. He was so hungry, he wanted to eat what he was feeding the pigs. The Bible then says, “When he came to his senses, he said to himself, “I’m going home to my father.” And that was the decision that saved his life.
Wanda says that “came to his senses” moment was because the boy saw his reflection in a mud puddle in the pigsty. As he looked at the image of his soiled face, tattered clothes, and emaciated body, he realized the depth to which he had sunk. He remembered where he came from. He remembered the warmth of his father’s home and the abundance of his father’s table. He remembered the love. He remembered the laughter. And he realized how far he had drifted from the man he wanted to be. His “mirror moment” was the catalyst for him to make the changes he needed to make.
Self-examination isn’t always easy. That’s why it often has to be forced upon us. In recovery, we call it hitting bottom. Finding ourselves in that place, like the Prodigal Son, where we ask, “How in the world did I get here?” And more importantly, “How do I get out?” Desperation can be a strong motivator.
But what if we didn’t wait until we were desperate? What if our motivation to take a good look in the mirror came from a place of wisdom rather than a place of devastation? The Prodigal Son could have saved himself a lot of money, shame, and heartache if he had just examined himself in the first days after leaving home. He could have gone home with money still in his pocket and said, “Dad, I realize I made a mistake. I need your help in learning how to manage my life.” It doesn’t take a mud puddle in a pigsty to see yourself clearly. It simply takes an open mind and humble heart.
I challenge you today to sit with God and reflect on today’s verse. “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.” Ask God to show you what you need to let go of and what you need to take hold of. Ask Him to show you any ways you’re drifting from Him or any changes you need to make. Don’t let yourself off the hook. Be rigorously honest. Let your “mirror experience” be one of wisdom. You don’t have to hit bottom to get back on top. You just have to let God help you be honest with yourself. That’s God’s Word for you today.