Running Toward, Not Away

You hear a loud crash followed immediately by a child’s scream. The young mother had told her son to stay away from the shelf, to not touch the shelf, but you knew what had happened without even looking. You turn to see the boy with a terrified look on his face as his eyes scans the room for just one person, his mom. When their eyes meet they begin moving toward one another, mother with arms outstretched and son crying and his feet racing him toward her as fast as they can. Soon there is a warm embrace and tears are wiped away.

Why do you think the boy ran toward his mother and not away from her? He had disobeyed his mother. Doesn’t he fear a lecture, punishment, or even rejection? In the moment, he only needed help and comfort, and for that he turned to the one he knew loved him, his mother. So, he didn’t run away, he ran to her. He might get a lecture, but he knew he WOULD get love.

Is this what we do when we have physical or spiritual problems? Do we run toward God or away from Him. Even if the Bible warns us about sin and its consequences, do we run toward God or away from God when we have problems? If we have confidence in the love of God, we will turn to Him.

When Jesus came walking on the water in Matthew 14, the disciples in the boat were terrified. When Jesus tried to calm them by identifying Himself, “…Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water!’” (Mt 14:28). Jesus called Peter to come and he walked on the water to go to Jesus. However, when Peter was frightened by the wind he began to sink and cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Mt 14:29-30). Peter’s failure was a faith failure (Mt 14:31), but he DID turn toward Jesus, not away. He didn’t take matters in his own hands – he asked for Jesus’ help (and had faith Jesus could help him). Jesus DID help him: “And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him” and took him to the boat (Mt 14:31). Jesus DID tell Peter that it was a faith problem, but not before helping (saving) Peter. Jesus loved Peter and Peter knew it. Peter had confidence that Jesus would help (save) him, even when it meant later hearing about his own failure(s) – which were told to Peter in love.

When we struggle physically or spiritually do we turn away from God or toward Him? Do we take things into our own hands or give them to God in prayer and faith? Do we try to hide, deny, or excuse sins or do we confess them to God and ask for forgiveness? Do we dread learning about our mistakes or do we welcome learning from God’s word about God’s will even if it means we need to repent, change, and grow? Are we running toward or away from God, in the good times and in the bad times? Do we trust the love of God enough to run toward Him even in the bad times?   dd

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30                   

dd