Introduction
The blog from Love God Greatly posted on Wednesday addresses running from God. I ran from God while in college for my nursing degree. What started the cycle for me: busyness. Additionally, extremely unhappy in my marriage, my prayers of changing my husband unanswered led to a season of discontentment.
Beloved, what are you running from?
Reading and Assignment
Jonah 1: 13-17, 1 John 1:9, SOAP 1 John 1:9
Scripture
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Observation
We recognize sin, if we confess, God is faithful and just. He will forgive us, cleanse us from our sins.
Application
What a beautiful promise from God. In Ephesians 1, we are called saints when we know Jesus as our Savior. Beloved, we do not have to sin. We are saints who sometimes sin. Sin is the darkness that surrounds us. We are plagued with choices every day. Do I pray daily, read the Bible daily? Do I speak kindly to those around me? Am I kind to my spouse? Have I participated in the work God invited me to join? Am I harboring sin in my life?
Prayer
Oh Lord, how I love you yet I run from you on a daily basis. I confess that I procrastinate about reading the Bible. I confess that I am often kinder to other than I am to myself. I take captive that thoughts of unworthiness, I am worthy because you are worthy. I claim your loving kindness, today. Lord God for the woman that may be reading this that thinks her sin is too great, will you become real to her, the balm of Gilead. I ask for each of us to take time to reflect what God is asking us to do that we may be running. I pray for strength today to do as you have asked me to do. Create in me a clean heart, a willing submissive heart. In Jesus name, Amen.
Conclusion
I ran from God in my college days, I ran to a life that was unfilling and shameful. What might you be running from an unhappy marriage, an unhappy job, an unhappy you? Each of us has a God vacuum inside of us that only God can fill. We all are searching to be accepted, significant and secure. When we walk in sin, our flesh is gratified but our heart is damaged. In Jeremiah 29: 11-13, we read that God has a plan for us, a plan for good and not evil. However, I love the promise that follows when we seek God with our whole heart He will be found. Will you stop, confess your running, and seek God first.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29: 11-13.
What do you need to confess to God?
I repented but suffered the consequences of my choices of running from God, I asked for and received forgiveness. While I was running from God I quit going to and taking my children to church. Today, the church is not a priority for my sons, So, I pray for their love of God to return to that they had as children. Will, you today stop the running, the sin, and confess cycle?
