Why Do We Run and Hide from God?
When life is good and I am able to make good and healthy choices, I rejoice with God in this, and believe He is patting my back, saying “Well done!” However, when I make a mistake or mess up, I tend to not go to God with it. I run. I tend to be like Adam and Eve, who hid away from God, or like Cain who left the presence of God to settle elsewhere. (Genesis 3:9-10 & Genesis 4:16) Why do we do this? Why do we run?God never leaves us nor forsakes us. (Hebrews 13:5 NIV)
He does not move away from us.
He is not embarrassed of us and we do not get demoted to be his step-kids because we made a few mistakes or dumb choices. Yet how many of us do this? We say things like “God, I can’t feel your presence!” or “God, where are you?” Unfortunately, when we condemn ourselves or feel guilt, we tend to step out of the word and good fellowship. We isolate ourselves and run away from the one who wants nothing more than to embrace us and say, “It’s going to be ok; I love you, I am here. I am not going anywhere.”Looking at the life of Moses, who murdered an Egyptian, the fact is God still sought him out and worked through him, a murderer. (Exodus 3:4 NIV)God found Moses, even when Moses was not seeking the Lord. God always goes looking for his lost sheep. He is after all, the good shepherd. (John 10:11-12 NIV)God does not see the outward appearance but rather, He looks at the heart. Even though our hearts may try to condemn us, God never does. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things (1 John 3:20 NKJV)
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There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1 NKJV). I have been learning this, daily. There are certain areas, where I struggle to ‘let go’ and trust God. There are certain things, that I have a ‘messiah complex’ about, and believe I am going to save the world.Yet Jesus gently ministers even to my hardened heart saying, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am [f]gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28 NKJV)Jesus in essence is saying, “Dude, you cannot carry that. You can try to, but its like swimming with a stone tied around your neck. It’s going to drag you down and try to drown you.”
Jesus wants to remove that ‘thing’ that’s trying to drag you down and He wants to give you his peace instead.
He wants to carry it and he wants you to just stay beside him. Some of us respond to this like, “Nah, Jesus, I got this!” Jesus, always the gentleman, steps aside. “Ok.”We run away, because we get overwhelmed by the trials and afflictions. Yet the word reminds us, Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. (Psalm 34:19 NKJV). We hide from God, because we don’t realize who we are, and that we are righteous in Him. We look at our carnal nature, and at our sin, rather than looking at our born-again spirit and our righteousness.
Jesus did not come to judge us, but to show us that we need relationship with God.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:17 NKJV)Silly and small things can sometimes distract us. Yet sometimes we are in very serious and dire situations, where the need is greater than us. That is exactly when you need to turn to Jesus. The need will not be met in you and your efforts but only through His grace, His love and His unending provision.And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV)Something I have told myself numerous times and I want to gently remind you of this now…resign from your messiah complex, trust God and see what He will do.Not only will He carry the burden for you, so you don't have to run, but with His other hand, He will gently hold yours and show you the way.Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV)
Pride frustrates the grace of God, while humility allows grace to operate, fully and completely.
Jesus brought grace. Jesus is grace. So, we need not live like Adam and Eve anymore, in fear and shame. Jesus took away the guilt and shame and brought freedom. So, the next time we encounter those scratchy things or fears, we can boldly remind ourselves who we are and instead of running away and hiding, we can boldly approach the throne of our Father, as He patiently is always waiting for us to do so. Don't run away.Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16 NKJV)I am praying for us dear friend! Xoxo