Ep. 119: Jen Thompson on returning to Jesus.
Has God ever felt distant?
In this episode of The Mercy Cast, I sit down with my friend Jen Thompson, author of Return to Jesus, for a heartfelt conversation that cuts right to the core of what it means to feel distant from God—and how His invitation to return never goes away. We talk honestly about those times when life feels overwhelming, when prayer feels empty, and when functional saviors (things we turn to instead of God) slowly edge Him out of our hearts.
But here's the truth we kept coming back to: God's love is unconditional. Period. It's not based on what we do or how we perform. He loves us because He made us. And He invites us—again and again—to come home.
This conversation became a journey into what it means to really accept that love. Not just mentally agree with it, but live it. To let it transform how we see ourselves and others and even how we handle struggles.
We talked about:
✨ What it means to return to Jesus—over and over again
✨ Why self-acceptance is a reflection of God's love
✨ The sacred rhythm of prayer and surrender
✨ Trusting God's provision—even in uncertainty
✨ How gratitude anchors us in the present
✨ And how our relationship with God changes everything, including how we show up in community
For me, one of the most potent reminders was this: "We are made in the image of love." That's not just poetic—it's personal. And when we affirm our worth in the light of God's love, we become more equipped to love others well. Everything in life becomes part of our mission—not just what we do overseas or on Sundays, but how we care, show up, and listen.
We don't have to earn His presence. He's already here. And when we make space for Him—through prayer, gratitude, community, and trust— we can be surprised by His grace in the most ordinary moments.
Highlights and takeaways from the conversation:
We're not alone when we feel distant—God still pursues us.
Self-love isn't selfish; it's a response to being loved by God.
Returning to Jesus is about trust, surrender, and presence.
Personal rhythms of faith and prayer build intimacy with God.
Gratitude and grace keep us grounded in our spiritual journey.
"God stands waiting with open arms."
"His invitation hasn't gone away."
"Everything in life is our mission."
"I am loved."
"We are made in the image of love."
"Jesus loves me as I am."
"We can be so hard on ourselves."
"I love myself as I am."
Listen to the full episode:
For more conversations like this one, check out my book, Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking.