Are you Running from God?

The most challenging moments in my life have been when I was fully aware of the right path to take but still chose to veer off course. Much like the Apostle Paul, who lamented, "Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being, I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me" (Romans 7:21-23). I often reflect on how much smoother my journey could have been had I stopped resisting God's will and allowed Him to mold and refine this flawed individual that I am. Yet, I clung to my running shoes, determined to forge my path or manipulate His intentions to fit my desires.

What was I thinking? I remember when God advised me against entering a certain relationship. Ignoring that guidance, I rushed in and, as expected, found myself nursing a broken heart. That heartbreak was a painful yet necessary lesson, ultimately steering me away from the disastrous potential of marrying someone who was not meant for me according to God’s design. Then there was the time I felt God prompting me to stay rooted in Florida, yet my restless heart led me to seek an escape to Washington, D.C. In that pursuit, I stumbled into a series of foolish and expensive choices that further complicated my life. And during a season of discontent at a job where I felt stifled, I desperately tried to nudge His plans aside, all in pursuit of a better position. A profound truth emerged through it all: “He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

Many of us are familiar with the biblical tale of Jonah, a man called by God to preach in the city of Nineveh, who instead fled toward Tarshish. How does one elude the presence of an omniscient God? Jonah sought passage on a ship, attempting to escape his divine calling. But God, in His sovereign power, unleashed a fierce wind that stirred a mighty storm on the sea, alarming the sailors onboard. As fear gripped them, they cried out to their various deities, casting cargo overboard to lighten their vessel.

Meanwhile, Jonah descended into the ship’s depths and fell into a deep slumber, seemingly oblivious to the chaos around him. The captain, bewildered by Jonah's serenity amidst the turmoil, questioned how he could sleep when their lives were in danger. The sailors, piecing together the situation, scrutinized Jonah, realizing his disobedience was the storm's root cause. Ultimately, they reluctantly cast him overboard, and the storm subsided immediately. God then sent a great fish to swallow Jonah, where he remained for three days and nights in utter darkness. In that belly of despair, Jonah cried out to the Lord. God commanded the fish to release Jonah, who was deposited on dry land, in a display of incredible mercy. Astonishingly, God granted Jonah a second chance to fulfill His command to preach to Nineveh.

God's mercy is boundless, but such disobedience comes with its own price. When we stray from God’s blueprint for our lives, we must be prepared to bear the consequences. We often think of those fleeing from God as indulging in blatant sin. Yet, sometimes, it is merely the act of disobedience that leads us astray, escaping the responsibilities assigned to us by Him.

On the flip side, some of us flee not only from our divine calling but from the scars of our past—the harsh words that have wounded us, the relationships and marriages that have faltered, the unfulfilled dreams, or the careers and degrees that feel so far out of reach. Perhaps you ran from God after a miscarriage or a marriage crumbled, after losing a job or a cherished loved one, or in the face of an economy that feels unwelcoming.

Many people run from God when they stumble upon bad choices and find themselves lost, unsure how to regain their footing. I've learned that the Lord remains committed to those who stray. Even after we've stumbled, He offers us a path back without condemning us for our flaws. Yet, as we persist in our flight, we inadvertently postpone realizing His promises. Running often manifests our fear of the unknown or dread of repeating past failures.

Ultimately, the Lord's intentions are anchored in love; He desires only the best for us. His plans extend far beyond our limited dreams and aspirations. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11). It's time to remove those running shoes, to give up the flight, and to allow God to guide our steps toward His greater purpose for our lives.

By Sandra Jean Charite