why do we run from God?

Letha and I were in the Austin airport on Wednesday, working our way to the rental car counter. We were walking alongside a young mom with two little girls, one around 5 and the younger around 3. We noticed how cute they were, with their little backpacks in tow. The littlest one was walking along and talking with her sister and asking mom endless questions. Suddenly, mom and older sister slowed down a bit to take a look at something in a store window. Lil sis did not notice and kept walking full speed ahead. It only took a couple of seconds for her to realize that mom was no longer by her side. She panicked and took off running, crying out for “mommy!”. She never looked back, only ran ahead, with terror in her eyes. About this time, mom realized what was going on and started calling the girl’s name. But it was noisy in the airport and the girl did not hear her mother. We tried to help but knew we couldn’t do anything but call to the little girl. She would have none of it. So mom had to run to catch up with her. She caught her in a matter of 20 seconds or so, but not in time to prevent an all-out panic on the part of the little one.

As soon as mom and big sister caught up with her, the little girl said to mom, “why did you leave me?” Mom said, “I didn’t leave you!” The little girl said, “yes you did!”. She cried, her heart was broken, she was scared and she was embarrassed.

And I saw you and me in the little girl. We take our eyes off of God. We run ahead in life. We get scared and panic. And when God collects us again, we blame Him for leaving us.

God hasn’t gone anywhere. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.” (Isaiah 53:6)

Stop running ahead, and if you can’t, at least hear His voice calling you back.