Running away from dogs

I still remember the time when I experience the “love bite” from my neighbor’s dog. That was back when I was 9 or 10 years old. I was innocently hitting the dog cage and being enraged, the dog ram through the tiny door that was tightly closed. The rest is history…thank God there’s not stitches involve but I remember myself running away like crazy after being chased by my neighbor’s dog.

When we’re chased by something that terrify us, we don’t really have time to think where to run or what’s our next move…what we have in mind at that time is to run away from the danger behind us. Well, having said that, I’ve heard stories of people who pee in their pants, hit the wall/trees or even fell into the drain while running away from danger..most of the time, running away from some crazy dogs!

I apply this in my spiritual life and after observing my life and the people around me especially the young people in my ministry, I come to a point where I realize, some Christians trying hard to run away from their sin or temptation for many years…some succeeded, some escaped but in the process of running, they hit on something else or get into worse condition. Some try to escape from smoking but end up being an alcoholic, some escape from being a porn addict but end up in sexual immorality…some tries to run away from gossiping but end up being a bitter person…some running away from wild social life and repent but end up misusing the ministry…making ministry as another version of his/her past wild social life. And when we realize that we’re running and not going anywhere with it, we got frustrated and start questioning God.

I come to a conclusion, when we run away from something, we must not only RUN AWAY from it but we must RUN TOWARDS something or PURSUE something. The Bible says :

“Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy” 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NKJV)
“Kejarlah kasih itu dan usahakanlah dirimu memperoleh karunia-karunia Roch, terutama karunia untuk bernubuat.” 1 Korintus 14:1

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“tetapi engkau hai manusia Allah, jauhilah semuanya itu, kejarlah keadilan, ibadah, kesetiaan, kasih, kesabaran dan kelembutan” 1 Timotius 6:11 (mula baca dari ayat 3)
“but you..are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance and gentleness” 1 Timothy 6:11 (NLT)

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“Sebab itu, jauhilah nafsu orang muda, kejarlah keadilan, kesetiaan, kasih dan damai bersama-sama dengan mereka yang berseru kepada Tuhan dengan hati yang murni…” 2 Timotius 2:22
“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22 (NKJV)

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“Berusahalah hidup damai dengan semua orang dan kejarlah kekudusan, sebab tanpa kekudusan tidak seorangpun akan melihat Tuhan.” Ibrani 12:14
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see Lord.” Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV)

So, the next time you plan to run away from temptations and sins, don’t run like mad to any direction, but run towards God…it’s the safest place you can be. Have a great day!