Devotional 1: Running Toward Christ
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? - Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Throughout my life, I have observed that when Christians face trouble, trial and tribulations, they tend to react in one of two ways—running toward Christ or running away from Him. Early on in my life, I determined that I would cling to Christ in times of trouble, rather than running away from him.
The reality of people either clinging to, or running away from, Christ in times of trouble became dramatically apparent to me during a chance encounter I had with a man named Michael on a flight from Washington, D.C. to Texas a few years after the passing of my nephew Elijah. I had arrived at Dulles airport for an early evening Friday flight, clad in a business suit having just finished the workweek. Then divorced and not wearing a wedding ring, more than one man attempted to converse with me; however, I was not in a talkative mood. I had several unpleasant flight experiences with men wanting to “hook up” upon arrival—and many of them were married. When I boarded my flight, I was relieved to find the seat next to me empty. As the time for departure approached, the seat was still vacant! Could I be so lucky to have the only vacant seat in this large airplane next to me?
Just at the last minute, Michael boarded the plane and took the seat next to me. This was back in the days were you could not use your cell phone during take off or landing. So, when Michael introduced himself, I decided to plunge into a conversation because I did not want to be rude. Michael actually was a polite, respectful, and friendly man. When he asked what I did for a living, I told him that I worked for a pro-life Christian ministry that assisted women and families facing unplanned pregnancies. Usually that response would end the questioning, but not for Michael. We proceeded to discuss our views on abortion and Christ. This ultimately led me to learn that Michael was a cancer survivor. He also unabashedly told me that he “used to be a Christian,” and explained that he had led people to Christ and knew that it takes, in his words, “as much faith to be an atheist as it does to be a Christian.” I asked him to tell me more because I thought most people who survive cancer grow closer to God. Instead of elaborating about himself, Michael asked me to tell him about my journey with Christ.
I proceeded to tell Michael about how I had lost a nephew Elijah and how only the love of Christ got me through the pain, which was still very real. At some point, Michael turned his head away from me. When I briefly looked over at Michael, I saw streams of tears running down his face. I felt compelled to apologize. Michael told me, “No. You don’t understand. Years ago, I lost my son in almost the exact same way. That is why I stopped being a Christian.” Michael was one of the many who run away from Christ in times of trouble. Of course, this was understandable given the excruciating and relentless grief that comes when one looses a child.
We proceeded to talk the remainder of the flight about the thoughtless and painful remarks Christians made to us during our experiences in loosing a child. Upon landing, Michael said, “I think God may have sat us together today.” I responded, “I think He did Michael, I think He did.” I don’t know what happened to Michael after that, but I have often wondered. I hope and pray he returned to Christ. Maybe he will read this someday and remember.
What makes Michael’s story so beautiful is that even though Michael ran away from Christ, Christ did not run away from Michael. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us that that God has said, “I will never leave you nor will I forsake you.” Psalm 139:7-10 reveals that we are not able to hide from God, even if we make our “bed in the depths.”
“Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.”
If your reaction to pain has been to run away from God, it is never too late to run back. God will joyfully welcome you with His open arms.
For Additional Study & Discussion
1. Are you someone who clings to Christ in trouble, or runs away from Christ?
2. Read the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). How is this an analogy of God’s faithfulness to us, even when we turn away?
3. Can you think of a time when a child or loved one clinged to you when they were hurting or afraid? How did that make you feel? How did you respond to him/her? How can that be an analogy as to how God feels when we cling to Him?