I was thinking about parking today. And how, in America, we
are so determined to get the closest possible parking spot. Instead of searching
until we find one, we will circle the same area until something opens up. I remember
discussing the parking problem at the community college I attended and how it
was always impossible to find a parking spot.
I remember someone chiming in that we don’t have a parking
problem, we have a walking problem. There were plenty of parking spots if
students were just willing to walk a little farther. Of course treading through
three feet of snow is not the most fun means of transportation, but her
statement made me think of how we are with God.
Christians treat finding God like finding a parking spot.
We don’t look for him. Sure we scan our surroundings, but we
don’t really search. I mean full out-abandon ourselves and desires-search for
him. We have a walking problem.
We don’t want to find God, we want Him to show up. And if we
don’t see Him right away we will circle the same area, try the same approach,
waiting for something to open up. But what if we abandoned our laziness and
selfish desires and full on Searched for Him? Instead of driving around waiting
for Him to show up, why don’t we park our selfish desires and get out of ourselves
and walk to him?
In the story of the prodigal son the father ran to him to
welcome him home. He was waiting for the son, pacing in anticipation of the
return He was certain would happen. He saw him coming and ran to him. But
first, the son walked. He left his rebellion. He didn’t wait until he had it
perfect. He just came to the realization that he was nothing without His
father, and with Him he may still be a rebellious, flawed human being, but he
would be better off. So he left; he searched; he walked.
