When God Ran
What If God Isn’t Waiting for an Explanation?
READ IT
Ephesians 3:18–19 (CSB)
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
OWN IT
Growing up, my parents made sure we were in church every Sunday. I remember so many stories from Mrs. Martha Penfield during Sunday School that I still apply to my life today. The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 is one that many people have heard more than once.
When I first heard it — probably in elementary school — the focus was always on the son who left. He made bad choices. He wandered. He came home ashamed. And the father forgave him. Forgiveness was the headline.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized there’s more going on in that story.
In Luke 15, Jesus tells us about a father with two sons. One demands his inheritance early, leaves home, and squanders everything. Eventually, broken and desperate, he returns, hoping to be treated as a servant. The father does something unexpected. In verse 20, it says “he ran to his son.” No hesitation. No interrogation. No lecture. Before the son could explain anything, the father had his arms wrapped around him.
That father was motivated by love.
We tend to focus on one of the sons. Either the one who left and needed forgiveness, or the one who stayed and felt overlooked. But the heart of the story is the father — the one who never stopped watching the road.
That truth became very real to me a few years ago.
Our family of six went to Walt Disney World, and like any parents in a crowded place, we repeatedly reminded our kids how important it was to stay together. One day, walking through one of the parks, we got separated from Chloe for a brief moment in a sea of people.
I could see her — but she couldn’t see me.
I moved fast. Borderline running. When I reached her, the look of relief on her face said everything. I hugged her, and she kept repeating that she got separated and couldn’t find us. She was scared. I reassured her that my eyes never left her. I could see her the whole time.
She even apologized — though it really wasn’t her fault. The crowd had forced us apart, and once she realized it, she was overwhelmed and couldn’t make her way back. I wasn’t upset. I wasn’t concerned with blame. My only priority was getting to her — quickly.
That’s when it hit me.
We may wander. We may get turned around. Sometimes life crowds us, pushes us, overwhelms us. But God’s eyes never leave us. He’s not surprised by where we end up, and He’s not waiting with crossed arms when we turn back.
He runs.
That’s the length, width, height, and depth of God’s love. A love that surpasses knowledge. A love that doesn’t wait for explanations. A love that moves toward us at full speed.
The Creator of the universe is not standing still, hoping you find your way back. He’s running straight toward you. All He asks is that you open your arms and receive the embrace.
LIVE IT
Take a moment today to reflect on where you might be hesitating to come fully to God. Instead of rehearsing explanations or excuses, simply turn toward Him and trust His love. Let today be about receiving — not earning — the fullness of God’s love.
GO DEEPER
Why do you think Jesus emphasized the father’s movement toward the son rather than the son’s apology?
Paul says Christ’s love “surpasses knowledge.” What makes God’s love hard to fully grasp with our minds alone?
Read Luke 15:20 again slowly. What words or images stand out to you today?
DINNER TABLE DEVOTIONAL
Have you ever been lost or separated from someone you love? How did it feel when you were reunited?
Why do you think it’s sometimes hard to believe God runs toward us instead of away from us?
How can we remind each other this week that God’s love is active, not passive?
PRAY IT
Father,
Thank You for being a God who runs toward us in love.
Help us stop hiding, explaining, or delaying — and simply come home.
Open our hearts to receive the fullness of Your love,
and teach us to live each day confident that Your eyes never leave us.
In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
I've heard this parable a hundred times and never thought about it this way. Thanks, Maury, for this important angle. When I came back to Him, I've always thought he was merely pleased. Now I know He was so much more than that. Not only pleased to have me back where He wants me, but pleased for me that I would have Him back in my life.
Great post! It is an awful feeling to be separated from a child. When I read the prodigal son, I also think of the father running to the son to shield him from judgement. Old law would have that rebellious son stoned to death (Deuteronomy 21:18-21). God still runs to us and covers us in grace from our sin and shame. Thank you again for this post.