Who Can I Run To?

I don’t think that we understand the weight of Hell and the reality of the fate of the wicked (unredeemed). But I don’t think beating people over the head with the fact that they are bound for hell is the answer. Because people are suffering now, nobody cares about some eternal fate. Maybe this world is hell and the Kingdom of God is Heaven. A stark contrast still. I definitely want to be a part of the kingdom the Christ talks about. That’s probably better motivation. But in the short term, most people want to know how to live with purpose and fulfillment now. I do not think people become Christians because they want to avoid hell, and one who does is probably only motivated by compulsion and guilt. I do not think God wants us to live like that. It would be a cool survey to ask people who are committed Christians why they follow Christ and ask them to give a personal/non-religious answer.

So I will start with myself. Ebony, why do you follow Christ? I think because in this chaotic and crazy world it helps to have a standard and stability from an outside source. I need something or someone to sustain me through my life, I need power and strength that I do not posses within myself, some truth to hold onto, and fulfillment and purpose to strive for, otherwise life seems meaningless. I also understand that when left to my own devices how ugly I have the propensity of being. I need a transformed life, a transformed heart and mind. I want to be better than I am right now and I can’t do that by myself. Lastly, my favorite story in the bile is that of the women at the well, because Christ says to a women seeking water at a well everyday, that he can offer a wellspring and will quench her thirst. That’s what I am looking for, a wellspring that will quench my thirst and I don’t think anything or anyone on earth can provide me with that. So I follow Christ because I thirst and I believe there is nothing or no one else that can actually quench it, but God. There is a song by the group Escape entitled “Who can I run to?” that sort of gets at the essence of this. Though it’s about a man, I think we all at some time have these same questions. And the answer is not in a man, woman, career or even our life’s purpose, but hidden in Christ.

"Who can I run to?"

As I stand here contemplating,
On the right thing to decide.
Will I take the wrong direction,
All my life,
where will I go,
What lies ahead of me?

I have strong determination,
And I'm not afraid of change.
I have yet to find that someone,
Who would care to satisfy me,
To stay right by me.

[Chorus:]

Who can I run to,
To share this empty space?
Who can I run to,
When I need love?
Who can I run to,
To fill this empty space with laughter?
Who can I run to,
When I need love?

And my mind is so confusing,
Who would be that special one?
Everyday I'm trying to find you,
All along, I've got to know,
Is there a place for me?

I know love has many names,
And a message very clear.
All it takes is time and patience,
To bring you near,
But look at me, tell me

[Repeat Chorus]