Benny Hester wrote a song “When God Ran” about the prodigal son. His lyric resonate: “It was the only time the only time I ever saw Him run, Was when He ran to me, Took my in His arms, put my head to His chest Said my son’s come home again.”
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him… the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.”~ Luke 15:20
By the time I was fourteen, I had watched my father waste away from 220 lbs to 105 lbs due to the brutal Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). It was shortly after his death that I gave my life to Jesus. I had always believed in Him, but had never been told that I needed to trust my life to Him; and ask for the forgiveness of my sin by the work He did for me on the cross. The result, I started a new life at fourteen; I had been born again.
I began to study the Bible. I grew in my relationship with Him and others in the church. However, I still had plans and desires for my life. I saw God as sort of co-pilot. When I got in trouble or off track, He would step in and straighten things out. I saw God as the means for me to get my life and achieve my goals.
Little did I know, God had different plans for my life.
It all changed when the pastor of the church I attended had an affair with his secretary. Suddenly, there was an old guy (really, he was only around 50!) teaching in his place. This shook me. I turned to an older, trusted friend and mentor, only to discover that he too had an affair and was leaving his wife. I walked away from the Lord with these words: “If this is what Christianity is all about I don’t want it!” I walked away from Church, my Christian friends, and My God.
Those were the darkest days of my life, For about a year and a half, I sought happiness and fulfillment my own way and it just left me empty. In fact, in that year and a half, I literally lost it all. Life for me was empty, lonely, and brutal. I was 19 years old when I ran back to Jesus.
One day, while driving home, God reached through the radio of the car and took hold of me once again. I turned to the Christian rock station and in moments, tears were running down my face. The song that was playing was “Little Pilgrim” by Chuck Girard, member of Lovesong. One line truly resonated with me: “It’s a sad thing to realize that your all alone, that you’re on your own again”
Later that night, I prayed the most significant prayer of my life. I surrendered all. It was a simple prayer, something like, “Ok God I’m done, no longer do I want what I want for me but what ever you want.”
I thought I was giving so much, but it was nothing compared with the life I now live in Christ. He has blessed me so much in my relationship with Him. He was the One who created me; He had the best plan for my life.
The Last line of the song has now become true for me “It's a glad thing to realize That you're not alone no more, That you found your way back home Back home.”
Tonight, Friday September 10, Chuck Smith and Lovesong are visiting Calvary Tucson @ 7pm at our East Campus. This is exciting for me considering my testimony and the part that “Little Pilgrim” by Lovesong played in my life with Jesus. I hope you can make it!
Perhaps you may have wandered from the Lord. Perhaps you are reading this and you still have not given up your life fully to God. Trust me, from personal experience; His life for you is so much better.
May you lose your life, and experience the great adventure of a life in Christ.
Blessings,
Robert.
LITTLE PILGRIM (Chuck Girard & Lovesong)
Little Pilgrim walking down the road of life
I find that in your heart, you're just a lonely one
For you see, upon that very road
My search for good and truth had its beginning
You take a little turn to the left
And you see what that path has to offer you
Then you gotta make it back to the main road anyhow
And you have all that lost time to make up for
And it’s a sad thing to realize
That you're all alone, that you're on your own again
Little Pilgrim, walking down the road of life
Can't you see that there are many others
Who are just like you
I was lookin' in that same direction
But all I ever found were others
Who were searching just like me
And we didn't find the way or the answers
To the questions that were buried deep down in our souls
We just found that the ways of men have no answers
Anyhow
Oh,...... don't you wonder....now
What you're tryin' to do
Oh,.....don't you wonder......now
Where that path is takin' you
Little Pilgrim, walking down the road of life
I know that deep down in your heart that you are just like me
What you're seekin' is a better way
And you're reachin' out for temporary resting places
And you're glad to find a little peace of mind here and there
But it won't last no, no, cause you'll have to move along someday
'Til you're resting in the arms of the only One who can help you
'Til you give your heart and your soul and your body
And your mind and your life to the Lord
And it's a glad thing to realize
That you're not alone no more
That you found your way back home
Back home
©1974 Dunamis Music/ASCAP
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