BBD 10.06.04 Runaway
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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The Burning Bush Devotional
Over 13,000 Subscribers in 75 Countries
10.06.04
Runaway
A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father,
‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to
them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all
together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with
prodigal living. - Luke 15:11-13.
In Ohio last Tuesday there was a near disaster as a runaway freight train
with hazardous materials on board traveled some 70 miles before being
stopped. The train reached speeds of 46 mph. A catch engine was sent after
the runaway train and as it slowed going up a hill the chasing engine was
able to hook on. The catch engine applied braking power and was able to slow
the train to about 10-mph. That was when engineer, Jon Hosfeld, jumped on
board the runaway and brought it safely to a halt.
The lives of some people are like a runaway train. The prodigal’s life went
from bad to worse picking up speed in his downward plunge. Most of us know
people like that. Some of us have close friends or even relatives whose
lives are out of control and picking up speed. How do you stop a runaway
life?
Ohio’s runaway train offers some suggestions as to how to stop a runaway
life. In order to stop the train they had to first want to stop it. Then
they had to take action to slow it enough for the engineer to board and stop
the train.
Our first reaction to those whose lives are fast becoming disasters may be
“what’s the use?” Don’t give up on people! The Father did not give up on the
prodigal. He was still watching and waiting for his return “...when he was
still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and
fell on his neck and kissed him.” Maintain as much contact with the runaway
as possible to slow down and block their self-destruction. Continue to pray
for them and ask others to pray. They have no defense against our prayers.
Our ultimate goal is to get the Chief Engineer (Jesus) on board their lives.
Once the Chief Engineer is on board He will bring the runaway to a halt and
begin the restoration process. “But the father said to his servants, ’Bring
out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals
on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and
be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is
found.’”
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