Run, Child Run!

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.

Genesis 28:15

While visiting Kenya recently, I stopped by a local shopping center in the western part of the country.  As I looked around the shops, I observed a woman emerging from a tiny kiosk with a young girl, about five years old, carrying a book bag on her back.  As I watched them, the woman bent down and whispered something in the girl’s ear, simultaneously pointing towards a building which was about half a mile down the road.  With that, the little girl began to run.  I stood there glued to the scene, fascinated to see such a tiny child running such a long distance on her own.  I watched her frame grow smaller and smaller as the distance between her and her mother increased.  Occasionally, this precious child would slow down and begin to walk and her mother, who kept her eyes on her the whole time, would shout encouragingly, “Keep running, you’re almost there.”  With every shout, the young girl who never once looked back, would once again break into a jog.  Finally, she made it!   As she turned into the building that her mother had pointed out to her earlier, the woman went back into her kiosk to serve her customers.

What would inspire such determination and bravery in such a young child?  Obviously, the love and care of her mother.  This little girl did not once turn around to ascertain whether her mother was still there, she knew and trusted that her mother was watching over her all the way to school because she heard her voice encouraging her to keep running.  I like to think that in certain ways, this is how things are between God and his children.  This is how it was between God and Jacob.  When Jacob left Beersheba for Harran (Genesis 28:10), God came to him in a dream with an encouraging message: “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you (Genesis 28:15).”  Jacob did not see God with his own eyes, because he had been asleep (far) when God spoke to him and yet, he was so sure that the LORD had been in that place (Genesis 28:16-18); so sure, in fact, that he built a pillar of remembrance.  Jacob was certain because he knew God’s voice.

Today, God points to his Son, Jesus Christ and says to you and me, “Run, child run!  Run towards Him, that you might obtain the prize.”  Along the way, we get tired, we slow down, we stumble and sometimes we lose sight of Him, but all the while through his Spirit, God encourages us to keep running towards the goal that we might obtain the prize for which He has called us heavenward (Philippians 3:14) and whether we know it or not his eyes are fixed on us (Genesis 28:15; Deuteronomy 32:10;  Psalm 32: 8;  Psalm 121:4-8).  For Jesus reveals in the gospel of John 10: 27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Do you hear his voice?  Then run, brethren run, and trust His voice within your heart, don’t let the external noise confuse you.  Don’t let the distance frighten you.  Don’t let anything whatsoever get in the way of your God-given destiny.  Shore up your determination and be brave, because God is watching over you and rooting for you every step of the way and He will not stop until he brings you safely home.  That’s his promise to you today.

Dear Father, thank you for watching over me through each season of my life.  I know that even when I don’t feel you, you are there encouraging me to stay the course.  I surrender every situation I am facing on this long journey, to you. Lead me where you want me to go and give me the will to obey.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.