My Life in Our Father's World

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Many biblical figures have wrestled with the decision to stay put or run the other direction. The quandary was usually due to fear, disobedience, or unbelief,

Key Examples:

  • Jonah: God called him to prophesy against Nineveh, but Jonah boarded a ship to Tarshish in the opposite direction, leading to a storm and being swallowed by a large fish. 
  • Elijah: After his victory on Mount Carmel, he fled to the wilderness out of fear of Jezebel, hiding and wishing to die, though God sustained him. 
  • Adam & Eve: After eating the forbidden fruit, they hid from God in the Garden of Eden, showing a desire to flee His presence. 
  • Moses: He fled to Midian after killing an Egyptian, fearing Pharaoh’s wrath, though God later called him back. 
  • The Disciples: They abandoned Jesus and ran away when He was arrested in the garden, demonstrating fear and failure in that moment. 
  • The Prodigal Son: Ran from his father’s house into a life of selfish wandering, though he eventually returned. 
  • David: At times, David hid from King Saul, running for his life in caves, demonstrating fear and flight.
  • Cain: After killing his brother Abel in a jealous rage, Cain hid the body. He was banished to wander the earth for the rest of his life.

I am reminded of the summer of 1989. I had only been at my job for about a year when we were informed that most departments were being relocated to two regional offices, Chicago IL or Parma, CA. I had a choice to make. I could either move to Chicago or stay in Cincinnati and look for another job. While I was considering my options, I endured almost daily migraines and frequent bouts of insomnia. Every television show, newscast, or movie I watched mentioned Chicago in one way or another. A friend gave me tickets for a Cincinnati Reds double-header. Surprise-surprise, they were playing the Chicago Cubs. I looked toward Heaven and said, “Okay God, I will go to Chicago.” Only then did my headaches stop. I was able to sleep peacefully again.

I officially moved to Chicago in August of that year and have lived here ever since. I have no way of knowing what my life would have been like if I had stay in Cincinnati. God had a plan, I just needed to say, “Yes” and follow His lead.

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In case the title of this post reminds you of the 1981 song by The Clash you can CLICK HERE to listen to it. Warning: it has a catchy refrain that quickly becomes an earworm.

18 comments

  5. Great reminder about God’s awesome plans and I like how he led you to the windy city. – I have only been in the airport there – and drove on the outskirts a few times – but think of chicago as artsy and with good food – and good people!

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  7. Following God’s plan is the only path to happiness; but as you showed, deciphering it is not always straightforward. Open and closed doors and being sensitive to the signs the Spirit lays out are crucial. How gracious God was to take away the physical pains when you made the decision–what an affirmation.

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