It's Time To Stop Running From God

By: Gary L. Hutchens

​   OK, here we are gradually coming out of the strangest time and set of circumstances any of us has ever experienced.  The question is, “What Did We Learn From It?”  Throughout life in this world we’re confronted with situations that challenge us in any number of ways.  If we’re wise, in every case we’ll learn something that will equip us to deal better with that kind of situation in the future, should it ever occur again.

​   Perhaps the most obvious lesson every person alive right now should learn from this present experience is, It’s Time To Stop Running From God!  Whatever the origin of this virus, it has impressed upon humanity the frailness of our physical existence.  This virus is no respecter of persons.  While some are more susceptible than others to infection and serious illness, this epidemic has claimed numerous lives in all age groups and in people in all states of health.  Basically, nobody is immune.
   It’s been called the invisible enemy.  We cannot see its presence nor its spread.  We can take precautions, but we’re often left uncertain as to the effectiveness of such.  We’ve been confronted with our personal vulnerability on a scale we’ve never experienced.
   Those of us who have stayed in hotels and motels are familiar with the ability to call the front desk as we’re about to turn in for the night and ask for a wake-up call.  The next morning, at the time we designated, our phone rings.  It jolts us out of a sound sleep.  We pick up the receiver and hear the statement, “This is your wake-up call.”
   This pandemic should serve as a blaring wake-up call for all humanity all around the world.  It’s Time To Stop Running From God!  All who survive this pandemic will still die one day.  Death is certain and inescapable.  But physical death is not the end; after that comes judgment (Heb. 9:27).
   Are you ready to die and then face your Lord in judgment (2 Cor. 5:10)?  A great many people deal with those realities by putting them out of their mind.  They simply don’t allow themselves to think much about death.  But this pandemic has brought us face to face with death, and that should cause us to open our eyes to the equal reality of judgment just beyond the grave.
   We can’t run from death, we can’t run from the judgment, and we can’t run from God.  Many people have tried, throughout history.  Adam and Eve tried to hide from God after they sinned (Gen. 3:7-10).  Moses made numerous excuses for not serving God in the way God called him to serve (Ex. 3:1-4:17).  Jonah tried to “flee…from the presence of the Lord” (Jonah 1:3).  When Jesus came as the Savior most of the Jews rejected Him, ultimately leading to His crucifixion (Matt. 23:37-39).  But trying to run from God did not work for any of them.
   Atheists, agnostics and skeptics foolishly refuse to recognize the existence of God (Ps. 14:1).  Many people living in wickedness try to shut God out of their minds (Ps. 10:4).  Many have yet to put their Lord on in baptism (Gal. 3:27).  Many Christians have become careless and lackadaisical in their dedication to God.
   At judgment all who have tried will be faced with the fact that you can’t run from God.  My friend, open your eyes to this wake-up call.  It’s Time To Stop Running From God!  Come to Him through Christ for forgiveness and salvation today (Matt. 11:28-29).  Let us help you…