24 - Is It Too Late?

Life is messy, and faith can feel like an uphill battle. In this reflective episode of Bare Faith, Dr. Gladys Childs dives into the chasm between routine and true relationship with God. Many ask themselves, 'Is it too late?' after pouring years into what has turned into a joyless routine. Dr. Childs addresses the fear of disqualification—those nagging thoughts that whisper, 'Was my faith ever real?' She shares Wendell's poignant story of a man who has cycled through the motions of faithfulness for decades, only to face a sobering realization one fateful Tuesday night. He stood in his kitchen, staring at his hands—faithful and worn—but feeling hollow. With a voice barely recognizable, he uttered truths that shook his very foundation. The pain of wondering if he had merely performed for years without genuine connection becomes a powerful moment of honesty, echoing the struggles many of us face on our faith journey. Dr. Childs draws parallels to the older brother in Luke 15, who spent years working in the field yet felt perpetually disconnected from his father's love. As she unpacks the father’s tender response, the message becomes clear: true relationship is not built on a ledger of deeds but thrives in love and acceptance. This week, we confront the hard questions—whether it's the drifting hearts of the faithful or those stuck in an endless cycle of performance. Together, we explore the path of repentance and the call to return to our first love, validating the lived experiences of those who've wrestled with profound disconnection. This is an invitation to recognize that it’s never too late to restore that vital relationship, to step away from the fear of being just a hired hand, and to realize that we are intended to be beloved children. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.