Run towards God, not away from Him

It’s interesting how certain words resonate with us, and "compelled" is one that's been on my mind lately, especially when I think about my faith journey. What does it truly mean to be compelled? It's more than just being forced; it's a deep, inner drive, sometimes a powerful urge that feels almost impossible to ignore. For me, in the context of my relationship with God, being "compelled" isn't about being dragged along unwillingly, but rather feeling a profound pull towards something essential, something true. I remember times when I felt overwhelmed by mistakes, or when life threw unexpected suffering and trouble my way. It’s easy in those moments to feel a compelling urge to hide, to retreat, or even to run away from God. The OCR mentioned how the "enemy of our soul" wants us to experience suffering and then move away from "the heart of God." It’s so true, isn't it? That feeling of shame, of unworthiness, can be incredibly strong, almost compelling you to believe you’re beyond grace. Like Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, whose "first response is fear" after sin, we often want to hide from God when we feel exposed or flawed. But then, there’s another kind of compelling force. It's the quiet whisper, the persistent nudge that reminds you of a deeper truth. It’s the realization that despite my imperfections, despite my biggest sins, God's love isn't conditional. This is what truly compels me to run towards God. It's not a logical decision based on my merit, but an emotional and spiritual necessity, born out of His unwavering grace. The OCR so wisely points out that suffering "should cause you to run toward God instead of it causing you to run away from His heart." This really hits home. For me, understanding "compelled" in this spiritual sense means recognizing that even when I feel like I've messed up big time, there's an undeniable draw back to Him. It's the assurance that His arms are always open. Sometimes, it’s the sheer weight of life’s burdens that compels me to seek solace and strength in prayer. Other times, it's the joy and gratitude that compel me to praise Him. It's a continuous, dynamic relationship. So, when I think about what "compelled" means, especially for my faith, it’s about this irresistible pull towards love, forgiveness, and hope, even when the world, or the "enemy of our soul," tries to convince me otherwise. It's recognizing that the purest form of being compelled comes from a place of unconditional love, inviting us to always turn towards "the heart of God." It’s a journey of continuously choosing to run towards Him, because deep down, I'm compelled by His immense grace.