My daughter is at that age where running is new and exciting for her. She takes off, her two little legs barely clearing the ground. A wide smile on her face and hair whipping behind her as she giggles. Inevitably though, she will slow down and that face will turn to something else. Her revelry to uncertainty as she searches for something familiar, her mom and dad.
Just like a child, we have a tendency to turn back to what is familiar. For us, this tends to be turning back to the habits and sins of this world. Paul knew this when he wrote to the church in Colossae warning them against turning back to their old ways. He urged them to turn from their past, and revel in the fact that they are a new creation in Christ.
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
(Colossians 3:3)
Just as the Christians in Colossae, we are all new creations in Christ. Fully paid for by the blood of Jesus. Fully forgiven. Yet too often in times of stress, trouble, and sometimes just in times of boredom, we find ourselves stopping in our run with God to look back and walk in our sin.
You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
(Colossians 3: 7-8)
While Paul is talking about individual sins, he encompasses the idea that the sin to be avoided here is turning to look back. Because when we turn to look back, we lose sight of God. So I encourage each of you, don’t let uncertainty stop you in your revel. But, like a child running through the grass, arms bobbing and little legs pumping, keep running with joy toward God.
Heather is a contributing writer for Shaken & Stirred. She is a believer, a wife, and a mother to a wonderful (and sometimes crazy) one-year-old. She enjoys reading, playing video games, and listening to podcasts. She can usually be taking care of the home and playing on the floor with her daughter.
Photo by Caroline Hernandez on Unsplash