THE RUNNING FATHER
“I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.’ “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.”
Luke 15:18-20 (NLT)
Everyone has their own spiritual journey. And along the journey, we all need different things at different times. I’ve often been asked, Do we pursue God, or does He pursue us? The short answer is yes. Scripture tells stories of both–us running to God and God running to us.
Sometime last year, a woman approached me after a worship service. Her head was lowered, her shoulders slumped, and tears bore the weight of her loneliness and distress. Shaking a bit, she finally put into words what she was feeling. She mentioned a death in the family and being very lost and confused. What struck me most was how she ended the story, No one understands, and I feel so alone. I could have responded in many ways. I could have told her to read her Bible and pray more. I could have given her the name of a good counselor. I could have told her about an upcoming class on grief. Sometime down the road, those may have been helpful steps. But what she needed in that moment was to know that God had been running after her. I asked her if she’d like to meet the One who would hold her and never let her go. Her head lifted a little. And after a moment of silence, I led her in prayer. That day, she said yes to Jesus.
God calls us to pursue Him–to do part of the running. But during this part of the young woman’s journey, she needed to know that God was pursuing her. That He was already running toward her with open arms.
APPLICATION: Run home to God today. Bring Him all your thoughts and the desires of your heart. Tell Him about the burdens you’ve been carrying and let Him care for you.
PRAYER: God, You are my dwelling place. Before I even arrive, You have already made room. Thank You that with You I have nothing to hide and nothing to prove. Today, I come running home to You, remembering that You have already been running to me. I’m grateful beyond words. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?