“No, I’m not gonna let ‘em catch me, no I’m not gonna let them catch the midnight rider.”
I had my life all together, or so I thought growing up.
Religiously in church. Rarely in any kind of trouble at school. I was a decent, normal kid.
Looking back, however, I realize how much I needed and still need to change.
Midnight Rider by The Allman Brothers Band came on the radio the other day while I was driving to work. The song is about running from the law.
I’ve imagined myself in that position. The excitement/terror it might bring. To always be on the run.
Constantly looking over my shoulder. Sleeping with one eye open, just in case.
It hit me halfway through the song.
I have lived that life before. It wasn’t exciting.
Well, let me rephrase that, at first it was exciting. However, the end was terrifying.
You see I lived this song in real life. Not running from the lawmen, but the law of God.
I was a lawbreaker, a sinner.
I ran from God.
On the outside I acted like I had it all together. I pretended to be the perfect church boy.
The truth, I was on the run.
Running from my true self. Running from my past. Worst of all running from God.
I wanted my freedom. I wanted the open road.
Options.
What I got in return was not remotely even close.
My running only led me into frustration.
Into slavery. Into confusion.
Into the prison of my own making.
In my desperation I surrendered. I stopped running. I turned around. To my surprise, God was chasing after me.
I let Him catch me, the midnight rider.
Freedom followed after surrender.
This way of life isn’t easy. There is still frustration, confusion, and even desperation.
However, now I have someone walking through all of it with me.
Someone I can depend on. Someone I can trust.
Are you running from the facts of life?
Have you faced the consequences of your decisions?
Are you scared to man up and stop running?