"Run to Jesus"

The pain you thought you couldn’t stand,

The weight you couldn’t bear,

The loss you feel, so searing real,

Some crushed too low to care.

Is something hard to understand,

Don’t listen if they say,

Know how you feel, ‘cause here’s the deal,

They don’t, it’s not okay.

‘Cause no one knows it like you do,

And no one else is you,

We each must cope, and find some hope,

Or else our lives are through.

When you can’t stand another day,

Of more of what has been,

When strength runs out, there is no doubt,

It’s time you found a friend.

And that friend is Jesus,

He offers you His rest,

He knows your pain, and you will gain,

God’s highest and His best.

And when He says He knows you,

It’s true ‘cause He alone,

Knows how’s and why’s of all your try’s,

In His light clearly shone.

Knows what needs His healing,

And His forgiving grace,

He breaks the ties of all the lies,

With freedom’s truth replace.

And all that went before, you see,

Can’t steal what is ahead,

God has a plan, and you can stand,

With Jesus raised, once dead.

So get up and run to Jesus,

He’s running straight to you,

Throw off the weight, His grace is great,

He brings relief, it’s true.

“And so he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him…” (Luke 15:20, NLT)

Jesus told this story as one of three to illustrate God’s compassion. The first was about the shepherd who searches for one lost sheep. The second described a woman searching for and finding a lost coin. But by far the most emotional, touching story was about the boy who squandered his inheritance but who finally came to his senses and returned home. The boy did not hope for a place in the family again. He only hoped that he would be allowed to at least work there. But to his surprise the father ran to meet him, forgave him completely, and threw a party to honor his return. What a picture of God’s mercy, the God who runs to meet us! Run to Him.

Lord, help us run to You, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Don Weller, donweller.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Don, and God bless you.