Running is the answer

Running is the answer-not away from God, but toward him. It defines faith. Every time Jesus commended someone's faith, it was because they took a step toward him. So, faith is: F - Feet, A - Always, I - Inclined, T - Toward, H - Him.

The classic example in the Scripture is Jonah. It has been said that you could give an outline for the whole book with six small words. They are: "Go!" "No!" "Woe," and "Go!" "Yes!" "Bless."

Years ago I learned that the prophet's whole life can be captured in running terms. In Jonah 1:3 it is reported that he "ran away from the Lord." God had told Jonah to go to Ninevah, but he got on a ship going to Tarshish. The opposite direction. He did it in a refined, polite way. He didn't sneak on board as a stowaway. He paid the fare. But, nonetheless, he ran away from God's desire. When asked who he was, he replied: "I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land" (1:9). The pronouncement may have sounded good to him, but the frightened pagans on board were not impressed. And, to save themselves, they threw Jonah overboard.

In the second chapter Jonah ran toward God. His predicament made him sit up and take notice of the all-powerful God who caused a great fish to swallow him. "From the depths of the grave," Jonah called for help and God "listened to (his) plea" (2:2). That's a unique prayer closet. For one who was white-washed inside the belly of a sea monster, he became quite an eloquent preacher. He boldly proclaimed such things as: "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs" (2:8) and, "Salvation comes from the Lord" (2:9).

In the third chapter Jonah ran with God, side by side. Our Lord is the God of second chances, so he gave Jonah another try. Jonah's message of repentance prompted this declaration from the repentant king of the Ninevites: "Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish" (3:8-9). Wise ruler!

In the fourth chapter Jonah ran ahead of God. He resented God's compassion, got manic-depressive over a shade plant and a worm, displayed a death wish, and thumbed his nose at the longings of God's heart. He was not concerned about the lost in the city of Ninevah.

How like Jonah I can be. I run away from God when his direction is more uncomfortable than I prefer. I run toward him when I'm in a predicament that only he can bail me out of. I run with him when obedience is the only option. And then sometimes I get headstrong, think I can do things on my own, and run ahead of him.

Recently I met a woman at a retreat I was leading for several hundred Episcopal women. I have her permission to recount this story, which reminds me of the value of running toward and with God.

It seems she wanted to come on the retreat, but had thought better of it due to a recent crushing personal circumstance. Just a week prior to the retreat time, she miscarried a baby, a child that she ached for. She was obviously broken over this loss of life, but decided to come to the retreat anyway. She opted for running toward God, not away from him.

The weekend found her interested but unmoved. She wasn't sure why God had been so strong in his prompting for her to come. On Sunday morning she knew why. As worship began, the leader invited each woman to write a prayer request. She showed me her 3 x 5 card. With tear stains evident, the words revealed her longing to kiss her now deceased baby. "Kiss him for me," she pleaded.

The teaching for the morning was on the prodigal son. A young woman had been assigned to read the account from Luke 15:11-32. When the reader got to the twentieth verse, she got confused and read the same words twice. With nervous giggles, she said: "Well, I guess someone really needs to hear that verse." Luke 15:20 says, "while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and.kissed him."

The young woman gasped. The Father had kissed her baby! Tears flowed. She had been the one who needed to hear that verse twice. She went to the altar to offer her thanks, while a friend who did not know what she had written on her card prayed: "Comfort Michelle, God. Kiss her now."

That young woman could have run away from the Father. She was hurt and fearful of being embarrassed by involuntary tears. Anyone would have understood. But instead, she came to the retreat at his bidding. She exercised faith. She ran toward him, and, as she did, he met her with a kiss for her baby and for her. And his love healed her heart.

Running is the answer. She experienced the truth of Proverbs 18:10: "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."



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