The Runner

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I recently had the opportunity to preview a movie that is set to launch sometime early in 2023 called "Jesus Revolution". It tells the true story of how several lives intersected for a time in California, in the 1960's, to orchestrate perhaps one of the greatest revivals in history. Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel, Lonnie Frisbee and Evangelist/Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship and Harvest Crusades are names I was familiar with growing up but I didn't know their stories. This story is told mainly through the eyes of Greg Laurie who struggled as a youth and spent his time challenging authority...and running. He didn't seem to even know what he was running from as a teenager. I think he just wanted to belong and to make sense of all the things that seemed to be upside down in his life.

At one point Greg hears these words from one of the men he really trusted. The man said, "God said you don't have to run anymore". That was a turning point for Greg. What a ministry God opened up to him as he surrendered to the call!

Are you a runner? I'm not talking about the treadmill or jogging through the neighborhood. I mean - are you running from the calling God has on your life? I did that for a few years myself. Perhaps you don't even know why you are running. You are just convinced that giving up control of your life to Christ would mean certain death to your dreams. Did you know that God is the giver of dreams? He is the one who stirs up the gifts that He placed inside you before you were even born! The fruition of His plans in your life will well supersede the fear you are living with now because you are uncertain of your future.

Here is what you can know without a doubt. God is in your future! Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) says, "The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." And whatever He opens before you He will be with you in it and will accomplish great things through you...when you are willing to stop running from God and begin running toward Him and all that He has planned for you!

Read more devotions written by Denise Harper at Treasured Inside