Stop Running

Shortly after I woke up this morning, I kept getting the words “stop running,” and I felt strongly that I was supposed to address this topic. I don’t know too many people who haven’t run from God at some point in their lives. I know I have. I grew up in church. I remember playing on the floor between the pews when I was very small. I remember the first time I felt the conviction of the holy spirit, and the song we were singing in church that day. I remember being saved at age 12 and baptized. Then, life happened.

You see, Satan does everything in his power to tempt us, to lead us astray. He doesn’t want us to have a relationship with God.  The enemy knows the culture and time in which we live. A culture beckoning us to follow its ways. It doesn’t matter how old we are. There are voices every day tempting us to walk in the ways of the world. There’s a reason why Jesus said, “wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction…but small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7: 13-14).

I was recently thinking about how many chances God gave the Israelites. He would deliver them, save them, and then they would turn away from him. They would get into trouble, and he would take them back. I kept thinking, God did all these amazing things for them, so why did they keep choosing to turn away from him? Then, it hit me. It was no different than my life story. How many times did I turn away, yet God took me back? Praise God that he’s a merciful, gracious father.

Our own pride, independence, and stubbornness can get the best of us. Like Jonah, when God says “go,” we say “no.” We give into our flesh because it’s easier. You see, I didn’t want to “give up” my freedom, but what I didn’t realize was the level of freedom that comes with having a true relationship with God. Romans 8:1-4 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Paul said “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6). Life isn’t easy, and life as a Christian isn’t any easier. We must choose every day to follow the right path, but what I found is that the closer I get to God, the less I miss the things of the world. The greatest high I’ve ever felt is when the holy spirit moves. To feel God’s presence is indescribable.

 Jesus said we must deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow him. It doesn’t matter how many mistakes we have made or what we have done in our lives. Make the choice to follow him. If you’ve never asked him into your heart, do it. If you’ve fallen away, there’s good news. God offers forgiveness, his salvation, and a willing spirit to obey him. Psalm 51:12 says, “restore to me the joy of salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”  Ask him to save you. Ask him to help you. He will do it.