What’s a Christian To Do?

Pursued by the Atoning Love

With what shall I come to the LORD And bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves? Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:6-8 (NASB)

I have run from God many times. My intention was never to do that, but I was focused on what I wanted. I could wrap it up in great motives. For example, I am doing this for my family, or something like, If am successful, it will allow me to help others in the future. I could go on but you get the point.

Most of us start out on a path that makes perfect sense, at least in the beginning. At some point, if we are not careful, what we start out doing with such great motives becomes all about us. That’s when we run away from God and straight into danger. As James Hewitt says “… many people run from God’s provision of atonement on the cross, fearing what He might do to them. But His plans are for good not evil–to rescue us from the hidden sins that endanger our lives.”

James shares a story entitled “Pursued by the Atoning Love” that got my attention:

“One evening a woman was driving home when she noticed a huge truck behind her that was driving uncomfortably close. She stepped on the gas to gain some distance from the truck, but when she sped up the truck did too. The faster she drove, the faster the truck followed.

Now scared, she exited the freeway, but the truck stayed with her. The woman then turned up a main street, hoping to lose her pursuer in traffic. The truck ran a red light and continued the chase.

Reaching the point of panic, the woman whipped her car into a service station and bolted out of her auto screaming for help. The truck driver sprang from his truck and ran toward her car. Yanking the back door open, the driver pulled out a man hidden in the backseat.

The woman was running from the wrong person. From his high vantage point, the truck driver had spotted a would-be rapist in the woman’s car. The chase was not his effort to harm her but to save her even at the cost of his own safety.”

There are times in my life when I resemble the woman in this story. I run from the very person trying to help me. Micah helps me to stop and ask the question “What does God require?” Ironically it is to be the kind of person I want to be and with whom I would want to be associated. He requires I do justice and I want to be around someone who is just. He requires me to love kindness and I like being with kind people. He requires me to walk humbly and I want to be humble. These things are never for my harm, always for my good. It is what He requires for each of us.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Lord,

My sins are great! I know that they always separate me from You. Please help me to surrender my ways to Your will. Thank You for loving me and providing for me an opportunity to experience You. In Jesus Name, Amen.