You Can’t Outrun God!

Scripture: 1Peter 2:25 - For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

A young boy accepted Christ at an early age. His father was a Pastor and as a child he had a very clear understanding of the importance of being a part of the body of Christ. He attended church every Sunday and sang on the youth choir. It was noticed very early that he had been blessed with a beautiful singing voice and as a child he sang for the Lord. The young boy grew up in church by his father’s side, singing and worshipping the Lord. And as you can guess the members of his dad’s church started saying, “Aww, look at the little minister in the making. You’re going to be a Pastor like your daddy”. However, around age 13, the young boy had decided that the last thing he would be was a minister and definitely not a Pastor. Understand, that by age 13, the young man had been introduced to some worldly things and he liked them. He also, knew that he couldn’t lose his salvation and that his parents were constantly praying for him. It was also at this age when he felt the tugging from God to preach and he wanted no part of that, especially now. He had his entire life ahead of him; he could sing, he had money (by way of his dad), and he was a teenage boy. He sure wasn’t devoting his life to “the ministry”. It was at that moment, age 13, that he started running from God. By age 16, he was living his “best life”. He was popular in school, played sports, made a lot of money selling drugs, and he rubbed elbows with some otherwise unsavory but fun people. The street and its glory were his church and he attended daily. Nonetheless, his father made it clear that anyone who lived under his roof would be in church EVERY Sunday regardless of what that person did Monday – Saturday. So, he juggled church and the world. His father often spoke with him about his behavior and how he couldn’t outrun God. And even though he didn’t want to preach God’s Word he needed to follow it. He, instead defied it. Still, the young man sat under the Word of God week after week. He heard it and he saw his parents live it. He also heard the murmurs of the congregation as they talked about how a “preacher’s kid” shouldn’t be the hellraiser that he was. He didn’t care. He was outrunning God and enjoying life. One day, God caught up to him and turned his life upside down. His father that he loved and admired so much became ill. The church that he often despised going to became the support system that his street friends couldn’t be. The call on his life became louder and louder and he could no longer block it out. He didn’t have the strength to run anymore. He was the hare and God was the tortoise. His dad, while on his sick bed, recounted to his son times when God protected Him and saved him despite his running. His father reminded him of how he ministered to his friends when the mean streets of Baltimore took them way too soon. He reminded him of how, even though, he didn’t want to use his voice primarily for God; that he was often called upon to sing at funerals, weddings, and other church events and how he never said no. “Son,” he said, “you were never outrunning God. You were just running from your purpose but God was always in the lane next to you. You cannot outrun God!” The young man realized that his father was right. He realized that the money, the women, the things of the world did not bring him genuine satisfaction. He recalled that he was most satisfied when he was singing in the church and ministering to his friends. He was in the streets searching for something he had along. One night, he apologized to God and stopped running from Him and started running toward Him. He always knew his calling, he had shared it with his childhood friends when he exclaimed, “I’ll never be a preacher!” It was those same childhood friends who supported him when he decided to preach, when he decided to attend seminary, and when he went back to his father’s church to deliver the Word. Before his father died, he saw his son walk in his purpose. And although the church was a little reluctant to accept this past hellraiser as a minister or their Pastor; they eventually did. Convincing the congregation that he was not only a changed man but the right man to lead them was not a simple task but a necessary journey.

Many are guilty of trying to outrun God. Many are guilty of trying to work their plan instead of God’s plan. It is impossible to outrun God and foolish to try. But God is so faithful. He continues to woo us even when we refuse His advances. Like sheep, we are prone to wander. The Bible tells us that there is a way that seems right to a man, but that way leads to destruction (Proverbs 14:12). But, thankfully, God knows us, He knows what’s best for us and despite our running His purpose cannot be derailed. Oftentimes, we believe we know what’s best for us but the Bible tells us that, God knows the plans that He has for us and that they are plans to prosper us and not to harm us; plans to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for running away from You but thank you for running after us. We are so grateful that You do not tire or grow weary. Thank you, Lord, for Your undying love, and because of it You continue to search for us when we stray. Forgive us, Lord, for turning away from You and doing things our way. Thank you, Lord, for accepting us back when we realize (with Your help) that we are headed into destruction. Thank you for never changing; without You we are lost but with You we are safe. Thank you for giving us Your son, Jesus Christ, who died for our past, present, and future sins. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

(by Patricia Towns)