Genesis 16: 9, 13 The angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”

Are you on the run? From what and where are you going?” Never looked at your life in that way? Think for a minute. What is the reason for your restlessness? Where will you go that God is not?

Genesis 16 gives an account of a slave girl named Hagar whose circumstances were so grave she felt her only solution was to run away. She was not the only person in Scripture to try to run away to some place thinking that God would have no idea where to find them. Jonah did when he was determined not to do what God told him to do. (Jonah 1: 3). The prophet Elijah was running for his life from King Ahab’s wife and in his despair he hid in a cave, thinking he was completely alone and beyond God’s ability to find or rescue him. (1 Kings 19: 1 – 18).

In our day lots of people are on the run for various reasons. Some feel abused or misunderstood, some are entrapped by substance abuse or are ashamed of their inability to meet their obligations.  Sometimes the need is to get away from the boss, the job, the marriage, parenting, or the congregation you have faithfully served. The fact is that everyone becomes overwhelmed at some point and the instinct to flee is very strong. Whatever caused your flight, it is time for re-evaluation, self-examination and above all confession.

Hagar’s example of a true confession is instructive. When she was confronted by the angel of the Lord, she just blurted out the absolute truth “I’m running away from my mistress Sarai.” Full disclosure is the only way to go with God. As you can glean from the response of the angel, the details are fully known to God, but you need to say it because the words you use might surprise you by revealing your true motivation and why you are where you are.

If you have run away, it is no news to God.  But have you talked to him about it?  You might not like the answer and it may well be a test of your obedience. Hagar was told to go back and submit to her mistress. Why? Perhaps, like Hagar, your entire purpose for being in the earth is wrapped up in your willingness to return and humble yourself under the mighty hand of God.  He does not just see you and hear you but he will undertake for your future.  Submission brings its own reward: “I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count.” (Genesis 16:10). As you submit, believe in the God who is able to do immeasurably more than all you can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within you. (Ephesians 4:20 refers).