Over the last couple of years, I have come to understand that running from God’s will doesn’t always mean outright rebellion.

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Sometimes, it’s the subtle decisions, the ones we make in the blindness of sin, that slowly lead us outside of God’s perfect plan. Like Jonah…

I thought I could avoid what God was asking of me, but in reality, I was only delaying the inevitable—God’s relentless pursuit of His will for my life.

Jonah’s story is a powerful reminder that God’s will often feels like an interruption. Jonah was content with his life until God called him to Nineveh. Instead of embracing the call, he ran. I found myself in a similar situation, unknowingly allowing the pride of life, the love of the world, and the lust of the flesh to steer me away from the path God had laid out for me.

In 1 John 2:16, we are warned against these very distractions: “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” These distractions caused me to prioritize my desires over God’s will, leading to disruption and delay in my spiritual journey.

Jesus’ parable about gaining the whole world but losing your soul (Mark 8:36) is a sobering reflection on what happens when we chase after worldly success at the expense of our spiritual well-being. In my pursuit of personal goals, I lost sight of what truly mattered—obedience to God’s call. The delay in following His will not only disrupted my life but also caused me to miss out on the blessings that come with obedience.

God, in His mercy, has shown me that it’s never too late to redeem the time lost. Ephesians 5:15-16 encourages us to be wise and make the most of every opportunity, “because the days are evil.” This is a call to undo the distractions that have kept us from God’s perfect will and to realign ourselves with His purpose.

The blessing is always in the obedience. As 1 Samuel 15:22 reminds us, “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” Sacrifice without obedience is empty. It’s in doing what God asks of us that we find true fulfillment and blessing.

Once you realize you’ve been running, you have a choice. Will you continue to resist, or will you surrender to God’s will? This has been my challenge—letting go of my pride, the distractions of the world, and the desires of the flesh, and stepping into the obedience God requires.

As I conclude, I want to leave you with this introspective question: Where have you resisted and run from God’s will? Take a moment to reflect on the areas of your life where you’ve allowed distractions to lead you away from God’s purpose. Remember, the blessing is always in the obedience. It’s never too late to return to the path He has set for you.

If you’re honest with yourself, inevitably you’ll come to the same conclusion. Share your thoughts below…