Trust Meಮಾದರಿ

Running to Safety

Read: “So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.” (Hebrews 6:18)

Think: “Come on you guys, let’s hop this fence and check out this field. My dad doesn’t keep any animals here anyway. We’ll be fine.” As dusk was settling in on this late July evening, I decided that following the advice of my hours-old friend was the only option. Despite my uncertainty, I couldn’t imagine my 12-year-old self having the confidence to stand there while my sister and this confident-beyond-his-years teenager hopped the fence. So I hopped. Within a few minutes, we were running for our lives (or so it seemed) as this uber-cool teenager forgot about the bull his dad had moved to this field. As the chasing bull punished the ground with its powerful strides, we realized we were never going to make it to the fence. So we did the next best thing - we ran into a large pipe lying in the field. Thankfully it was big enough for us but too small for our angry friend. As we crammed in with the bull pacing just beyond our reach, the only option was to yell for help. We needed saving and needed it soon!

In Hebrews, we read that those who have “fled to God for refuge can have great confidence.” I know what that feels like to flee and find refuge. It’s life-saving! While I no longer run from bulls, I still run - from fears of inadequacy, regrets from my past, uncertainty about COVID, worries for my kids and family, the pain of shame. Can you relate? This verse reminds us not only that God is a refuge, but also that we can “hold to the hope that lies before us.” The hope that July night was our pipe! My hope these days is that God will keep His promises. My hope is that Jesus indeed came to this planet as God in the flesh, died so I might have eternal life and will one day make all things right. That’s where I run even today when I’m being chased. If you don’t mind me asking, where do you run? 

Question: Where would you say is your safe place to run when you’re being chased? Can that place bear the weight of your soul’s deepest desires?

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to this earth that we can know you and find you to be a safe refuge in times of pain, stress and difficulty. Please help me to remember that enduring hope is found in you and not in the other things which can so easily distract me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

(Tim Rogers has been married to Jen for 23 years and together they live in Gap, PA with their three teenage children and one dog. Tim has served as Lead Pastor of Grace Point Church in Paradise for 18 years.)