Running to His Embrace

If you’ve ever wrapped your arms around someone you love then you know the exhilarating emotion that comes from such an embrace.  Put time and distance between you and your loved one and the reuniting becomes even more precious.

We recently visited our daughter and the three grandchildren in Arizona.  It had been 14 months since we last seen them.   Make that 14 loonngg months!

We made arrangements to pick up the kids from school when we arrived in Phoenix.  The kids normally remain for an after school program but on this day they were summoned to the lobby for pickup.  Little did they realize that their Gram and Pap would be waiting there for them.

Each child entered the hallway, walking casually toward us.  When they discovered us they ran, stopped, and looked to be sure they were seeing what they were seeing.  They then ran to us with open arms.  It was one of those sweet ‘Ah-ha’ moments you never forget.

We had a swell time with the kids.  Though only a week ago, I continue to revisit that afternoon when we first embraced.  That surely was a precious moment for this soft-hearted pappy.

But there is another precious moment I recall, and that moment was the day I ran to our Heavenly Fathers’ arms to embrace faith in Jesus.  I wonder if perhaps that was some kind of Ah-ha moment for God in seeing a rebellious sinner running to His embrace.

One of the first truths expressed to me as a new believer in Jesus was the security we have in Christ –that there is NOTHING that can ever separate me from His love.  That certainly was refreshing news as Christ’s forgiveness washed over me that day.

As I contemplate the vast number of people living beyond the reach of the gospel I am thrilled to realize that once God’s message reaches them that they too, will one day run to His embrace.

In the meanwhile we are doing all we can to motivate God’s people to consider their part in getting this ‘Nothing can separate you from His Love’ message to all the world.