He was sharing his testimony of how there was a time in his life that he was running from God. He shared how God was running right with him to get him back. He said "God is a runner. He is running after those he wants to save and those he's already saved." Now, to be honest, aside from the story of the father running to meet the prodigal son, I can't find a lot of examples/applications of God 'running' in the Bible, but there are plenty of examples of Him 'seeking' us. He came to seek and save that which was lost, right?
I can, however, think of several examples of me being encouraged to 'run'. Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and they are safe. Hebrews 12:1 - Let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Isaiah 40:31 - They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strengh. They shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
So, let's just assume God is a runner, which in the concept the speaker was giving, I do think He is. How does He run? How do we see Him? Well, I think one of the answers is through me, through you. God uses us to 'run after' those He wants to come to Him. He uses me to reach out to those He wants to reach. I am His hands and feet here on earth.
Now, I’m not a runner. Anyone who knows me (or has ever seen me) can tell that fact! Aside from on occasional attempt to exercise with my Wii Fit, that term does not remotely describe me. That term likely will never describe me, and definitely not before my treadmill gets fixed (which I’m in no hurry to do.) But, I started thinking about ‘running’ and the Olympic 4x4 relay. In life, if we have made a commitment to God and have a personal relationship with Him, we are essentially runners on God’s team. But the cool thing is that we have God at the ANCHOR position. He’s the captain. We’re not running solo.
I am on God’s team. I like that concept. If you know me, you know that I am extremely competitive. Maybe it was growing up the only girl with three older brothers. It’s just how God made me. Being competitive isn’t necessarily a bad thing, really. I can think of many times how being competitive has helped me in life and my career. But, when being competitive brings out anger or thoughts of cheating or other negative behavior, well, that’s when it’s not good. Let’s just say I do not like to lose. Be honest with yourself. Who does? That’s what is so amazing about this concept, especially for someone like me. If I am on God’s team – I am never going to lose.
But, just like runners passing the baton in the relay, I can sure flub up the game plan. I can drop out of the team. I can mis-read the plan. BUT, I will never be kicked off the winning team. I’m reminded that I need to be running after what God is wanting me to run after. I have friends who do not have a relationship with God. They have never experienced His love and His forgiveness. They have no personal knowledge or idea what it means to have a relationship with God. How will they see it, except through me, God’s ‘runner’, God’s ‘teammate’? So this morning, I’m asking God to help me be His hands and His feet…to help me run after the right things and the right people, to stay on the right course, and to keep my eyes on the finish line.
I never thought I would say this in my lifetime, but I want to be a ‘runner’!
---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com