“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