Distance – Stephen Trammell

Distance

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 (NIV)

Have you ever felt a distance between you and God? Have you experienced seasons where God seemed far away? Who moved?

God allows us to distance ourselves from Him. Did you know that you determine the level of intimacy that you have with God?

“Come near to God and he will come near to you…” James 4:8 (NIV)

God draws us near in salvation and we respond by drawing near to Him through daily intimacy. We navigate the relational proximity.

Remember, the prodigal son made the life altering decision to get up and go back to his father. Notice how the prodigal son was still a long way off when his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him. Who ran? Well, the son ran away from his father and then decided to return. The father ran to his son. That blesses my heart. The father ran to his son! It sounds like “mercy came running!”

Pursuing God,

Stephen Trammell
Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care

32 replies on “Distance”

The greatest thing about that scripture is the knowledge that in the historical setting of that parable noble men didn’t run. Running was something for warriors and slaves, not for those who owned much of anything. The father was willing to sacrifice his status to meet his son, just as Jesus was willing to sacrifice His Heavenly dwelling to come and meet us.
Even more beautiful still was the father’s gifts to the son and the celebration letting the son know that he was welcome home again. How long has it been for so many of us since we humbled ourselves to the point that we allowed the Father to just celebrate over us? All of Heaven awaits the return of one who has run away…and how great the rejoicing when those who were once considered dead in the Spirit are now found to be alive again!
Great post Dr. T!