Run to God

It never ceases to amaze me how many people outright ignore God until they need Him. We go through life ‘minding our own business’ until suddenly something takes place that we cannot control. It can be a natural event like a hurricane. It can also be the actions of other people. Either way, because we cannot control the outcome, we turn to God.

I guess ‘at least’ we turn to God. Of course, ‘at least’ eventually becomes ‘at most’ which is why it bothers me so much. When the ONLY time we turn to God is when we need Him for something, we never learn to just desire Him.

Think of a little child who runs to his daddy and jumps into his arms. It isn’t because the child needs anything. He just wants to be with his daddy (or mommy). Then one day, the dad comes home to find his son sitting in his room doing homework, barely acknowledging his dad’s presence. We all know the rest of the story. As soon as the man needs his father, he calls. Just because it always happens, doesn’t mean it is good.

At that time, when Jesus got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, O Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

Matthew 8.23-27

Obviously, today’s Gospel reading isn’t a direct comparison to what I am saying. The disciples had given up their way of life to follow Jesus, but in this moment, they felt they NEEDED Him. Thankfully God doesn’t hold such selfish timing against us. Whenever we call on Him, He listens. He may not always give us what we want, but He always listens.

My point today is, when we need God, He is always there. “Why are you afraid?” When He asked his disciples this question, it was to teach them, “Hey, I’ve been here the whole time. Do you think I won’t help you? Do you think I don’t have the power to give you what you need?”

It is never bad to call on God, no matter how late you call. He will be there but consider this. Why wait until you are in a panic? Why not include Him every day with every joy, and not just every fear? Why not return to being a little child and run into His arms, not because you need something. Run into His arms because you just want to be with Him.