March 29, 2010
Luke 18
Pastor JoAn Blackmon
As a kid, one of my favorite things was running into the strong arms of my Dad. As a mom, I have to say that having my small kids and now my grandkids run towards me at full throttle so they can jump into my open arms still ranks way up there. Kids show no hesitancy. No fear. No worry about how you’ll receive them. For that moment, you are the absolute center of your child’s world and they are completely confident that whatever their need is, whatever the reason for their approach, once they are in your arms, everything will be taken care of.
Running to the One who loves us, cares for us, and can help us with whatever needs we have is exactly what this chapter in Luke is about. In a series of stories, Jesus teaches his followers how to approach God:
- Persistently without giving up
- Humbly, just crying out for mercy
- Like a child, simply desiring to be with Him
- Focused completely on God, making everything else secondary
- Confident in faith, directly expressing our need
It’s amazing that the God of the Universe would invite us to come to Him in such personal ways. And more amazing still - when we do run towards Him, He reaches down, lifts us up and wraps His strong arms around us. And suddenly we know that everything will be taken care of.
Did you know? Pastor JoAn’s hobbies include gardening, reading, and playing with her (very active) grandsons.
