I want to share about a journey many of us have undertaken—the journey of running from God. It's a story as old as time, one where we, in our human frailty, attempt to dodge God’s call, thinking that somehow, if we can run far enough away, we can escape God’s sightline. But let me tell you, it's a futile run— as was recently uncovered in our discussion of the book of Jonah and his stubborn refusal to follow God’s call.

You see, there's a certain restlessness that comes with running from God. It's like trying to escape the very air we breathe. As someone who's taken a few laps in the "running from God" marathon, I've come to realize that He's not a God of punishment waiting for us at the finish line. No, He's a God of grace, pursuing us with an amazing heart of forgiveness and love that defies our comprehension.

So, why do we run? I suppose we run for various reasons—fear, shame, doubt, or simply the desire to chart our own course. It's a desperate attempt to carve out a space where God's expectations and our choices don't match up. Yet, deep down, we know it's futile. There's a restlessness that lingers, a sense that no matter how far we go, we can't escape His relentless pursuit.

As Mike Chaddick and I discussed in our journey through the book of Jonah, God's pursuit isn't fueled by a desire to punish but rather to lavish us with grace. It's not about condemnation; it's about an invitation to experience a love that knows no bounds. Even in our attempt to outrun grace, He's there, offering mercy, forgiveness, and a chance to turn around and embrace the very arms we've been avoiding.

Grace that Transforms: When we finally halt the frantic run, we encounter a grace that transforms. It's not a stern lecture on waywardness but a gentle whisper of love, inviting us into a journey of redemption. God’s grace doesn't just forgive; it restores, rebuilds, and makes us new. It's a grace that says, "Come as you are, and let Me make beauty out of your brokenness." "In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry." Jonah 2:2 NIV

Embracing the Divine Pursuit: So, what if we simply stopped running? What if we turned around and faced the God who pursues us with relentless love? What if we embraced the grace that waits for us at every corner of our escape path? It's not about how far we've run; it's about the unchanging nature of His love.

In the embrace of God’s love for us, we find freedom. Freedom from the burdens we've carried in our attempt to escape, and freedom to walk in the light of grace. It's a journey of coming home, not to a place of condemnation, but to the open arms of a Father who welcomes us with love beyond measure.

So, here's to the futility of running from God and the overwhelming grace that catches us every time. May we be a community that encourages one another to stop, turn, and embrace the God who pursues us with unending love. Remember, He's not a God of punishment but of grace—a grace that transforms and sets us free.