AWOL

This week one the boys, who I’ll call Marcus, went AWOL. That means the same thing here as it does in the military, absent without leave. He left the Ranch without permission and headed back out into the same world he was sent here to get away from. He ran away and is in hiding. His reason for leaving is what is so sad.

Marcus came here after getting in trouble. He was angry and bitter, responding to every perceived injustice with hostility. As the weeks went by his life was touched by some caring, loving people and he softened. He gave his life to Christ and was baptized. We watched him start to respond to our love for him and give it back to us. He began making plans for life “after the Ranch”. His life looked promising.

So why did he leave? The problem is that the past came back to haunt him. The results of a drug test collected weeks ago came back positive. Unfortunately, all the changes he had made and all the right steps he had taken toward living a life of hope and promise did not keep him from having to reap the consequences of the past. His punishment was meted out and he was devastated. He felt it was unfair, he had been doing so well, couldn’t it just be overlooked taking into account the progress he had made? Satan as always used the moment and whispered those accusations of guilt, hopelessness, and despair. Marcus decided to run away.

Whenever something like this happens we are all broken hearted. It is so heart wrenching and we feel helpless to stop them from taking what we know to be the wrong road. As I was thinking about this young man, wondering where he is, if he is cold and hungry, I thought how similar his situation is to ours many times. How often do we go AWOL from God?

Like Marcus, we come to know the Lord many times after a season of sin and living for self. We tend to think that once we commit to Him that blessings will abound and all will be well. We neglect to recognize that sin is still sin and that there are always consequences as a result. Living for Christ does not give us amnesty from the consequences of prior sins.

Sounds depressing doesn’t it? However, there is good news. Past failures do not dictate our future! The marvelous news is that God the Father holds us close and we live every day within his grace and mercy. Consequences yes, failure and hopelessness no! The key is staying close to God. Every day is a another chance, a clean slate, a new opportunity to serve Him. Had Marcus decided instead to reach out to those of us that love him and would be more than willing to help him work thru this, it could have been so different. Now instead he has the added consequence of running away if he does return.

How many people are running from God? How many are hopelessly bogged down in the mire of guilt and regret? Meanwhile God waits patiently with open arms as He will until the end of time. We can never flee from the presence of our loving God the Father. He knows our every thought and action so trying to run from him is futile. If I could only see Marcus right now I would say; “Come home where you are safe and love.” “There is hope and healing waiting for you.” “We love you and God loves you”. God whispers that same message to us. There can be no AWOL from God, come home where you are safe and loved.

Psalm 139:1-10

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in--behind and before me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, to lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from you presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there you hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.