Did you ever run away from home? I did as a young girl–well, sort of. I have no idea why anymore, it was well over fifty years ago. I remember writing a goodbye note and leaving it on my bedroom dresser. My family owned five acres, the back three being cornfield. I started down the path along the neighbor’s fence line and made my way to the back of the property. Suddenly, the path opened up into a spacious green field. I’d never been that far back before and had no idea which way to go from there. I hurried back along the cornfield, rushing into the house to destroy my farewell letter that no one had seen. No one knew I had ever run away until I confessed years later. No one that is, except Father. 

He knew when I ran away from my parent’s home when I’ve hidden from my friends and all of the times I have tried to hide from Him, which feels about the same as staring into a big open field with no idea where to go. It’s not because He won’t direct me. It’s because I’m too stubborn to ask, I’m hiding after all. “Before God, nothing created is hidden.” (Hebrews 4:13)

But that’s good news because He loves us so deeply He continues to pursue us even when we run or hide. “For we do not have a cohen hagdol [high priest] unable to empathize with our weaknesses; since in every respect he was tempted just as we are, the only difference being that he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

I would like to say my days of hiding and/or running are over. I’d like to say my feet are freely moving with Jesus. I’d like to say our hearts are beating in unison. I’d like to say nothing will ever get in between me and the Lord ever again. But I still walk in human frailty and sin. “Therefore, let us confidently approach the throne from which God gives grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

Why do we ever want to hide from our Father when He loves us that much? Run into His open and waiting arms, where mercy and grace flow freely.