Satisfying a Need

Matthew 7:7-8

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds;

and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

It’s that time of year again. It is summer, and that means some of the harshest running conditions of the year. It seems like this time of year, there is no escape from the heat and humidity. If you try to run before dawn, it is still close to 80 degrees and the highest humidity of the day blankets the air through which you run. If you try to run after dark, the air is still hot and dry from the day’s heat. Even at 10:00 or 11:00 at night, the temperature is still well over 90 degrees.

During this time of year, we sweat more than ever while running. The rate of perspiration can literally be measured in lost pounds during a single run. We need to hydrate before, during, and after our workouts and races.

Wouldn’t it be devastating to our health if, after sweating off pounds of water weight, we tried to get by without the water we needed? Or what if we sensed a need for hydration, but tried to conjure up a cure within ourselves? What if we just tried really hard to make water exist without actually going to a source of water?

I know these questions sound ridiculous, but when I think about it, sometimes I do such ridiculous things when I have a spiritual need and do not go to The Source who can supply that need for me. I sometimes find myself struggling with a sin or an unbelief, and I try to find a cure on my own. Sometimes I need a spiritual blessing – peace, patience, self-control – and I try to find these things within myself instead of going to God and asking for them.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7 to ask and we shall receive. The promise is bold and straightforward. The message is clear with no strings attached. But underlying the statement are several key points: God is powerful and can give all that we need. God is loving and generous and seeks to supply what we lack. And God knows we cannot conjure up what we need within ourselves – it is only through His power that we receive what we lack.

During a race, gracious volunteers stand at several points on the course with cups of water to assist the runners. We go to these volunteers and take what we need. We don’t try to find it within ourselves. Let’s go to God now, and let’s go often, to ask for the things that we need to do His will and glorify Him.

Father, thank You for lovingly and generously giving us the things we need. Please help us to remember to come to You and no one else to satisfy us. Help us to trust that You are able and willing to abundantly supply all we need. In Jesus’ name we pray…AMEN

Running in the Dark

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession,

that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

A few days ago, my son and I went for a run at night. We wanted to avoid the heat of the day so we started our run after the sun went down. I didn’t want to tell my son, but I was a little creeped out in the darkness. We ran through a golf course that wound through wooded areas, and I was more than a little afraid of what could be hiding out there. As we approached the thick, overgrown brush, my mind quickly jumped to the potential dangers –a bump in the path that could cause us to stumble, a nocturnal critter, a dangerous person lurking in the shadows.

The run through the dark made me think of my spiritual race. I seek the light – Jesus and His goodness – but in the midst of temptation, the spiritual dark doesn’t seem as creepy as the physical dark. The danger in spiritual darkness is far worse than the potential danger in physical darkness, so why does it seem so appealing? When temptation comes, why don’t I fear what lurks in the dark: the spiritual bump in the path, the nocturnal critter, the head of darkness who lurks in the shadows?

Maybe it’s because I am easily tricked into thinking that spiritual darkness is no big deal. Maybe it’s because I am easily persuaded that sin and its shortcuts can be satisfying beyond the short term. And maybe, most importantly, it’s because I have not fully grasped or fully appreciated the unimaginable love of God who sent His only Son to die for my spiritual darkness.

But that same One who sent his Son to die for me can also open my eyes to the dangers of sin. He can keep me safe during temptation. He can give me wisdom to understand that the wrong things I’m inclined to do are not beneficial or peaceful but deadly.

I am reminded in 1 Peter 2:9 that I am chosen and am God’s purchased special possession. I was called out of the darkness through baptism and each day am called to turn away from sin and its deadly consequences. I am called into wonderful light.

I felt relieved at the end of the run the other night as I entered the light and security of my house. Jesus extends an even better, everlasting comfort and security in His light. Let’s turn to Him now and ask Him to draw us into that light at all times.

Lord Jesus, I can be easily tricked into thinking that there is pleasure and satisfaction in the darkness. Help me to realize that there is danger out there. Help me to run away from it just as I run away from the physical dangers in my life. Thank You for loving me so much that You gave Your own life for me. Help me always and only to declare Your praises. In Your strong name I pray, AMEN.

Experiencing God's Love

Luke 15:20

So he got up and went to his father.  But 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.

What makes a runner a runner? How fast does a person have to run? Does a person have to run a certain number of days, months, or years? If a runner stops running for an extended period, is he still a runner?

What makes a person loved by God? Do we have to behave a certain way? Are there lists of things we are supposed to do? If we have taken roads that lead us away from Him, does He still love us?

Jesus told a parable about a son who completely and deliberately turned away from his father, bringing him great shame. The son ran off to live a wild life and only went back home because he faced great hardship when he ran out of money. He didn’t think his father would welcome him back, and he hoped he could simply be a servant in his house.

But we are told that as the son was journeying back, his father saw him while he was still a long way off; the father had been continually watching for the son’s return. Then the father ran to his son with gracious compassion. Before the son could get all of his words out, the father restored him and planned a celebration because he was back.

The love that the father has in this parable represents the love that God, our Father, has for us. God is willing and eager to welcome us into His arms regardless of where we have been or how long we have been gone. But whereas the father in the parable has remarkable love, God’s love is immeasurable. His love never changes, nor does it ever end.

We may debate the definition of runner, but the necessary conditions to be loved by God are not up for debate. God’s love is unconditional; there is nothing we can do to earn His love, nor is there anything we can do to lose it. God is love.

Have you wandered? Have you left Him? He is watching longingly for your return.

Gracious Father, just like the son in the parable, we confess that we have sinned against Heaven and against You. We are not worthy to be called Your children. But, Father, we know You love us with everlasting love. Your love is perfect and unconditional. Forgive us and restore us in that love. In Jesus’ name we pray…AMEN.