His Love is Inescapable: Reflecting on John 10:27-30

By Camilla Mroczkowski
Photo Credit: matipatloko

Scripture:

“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

Reflection:

As Catholics, we know that God is always there, but there are certain times when it is easier to be aware of this than others. Let’s face it, when we feel hurt, rejected, unloved, or lost, it can be overwhelmingly difficult to see God’s light. Similarly, when we follow through with various temptations or fail to come to God in times of distress, we may end up straying away with him, like the single lost sheep that escaped from the shepherd, only to end up feeling shame and unworthiness.

However, there is a beautiful song by Casting Crowns titled “Even When You’re Running” that focuses on these very times. The chorus goes like so:

His love is inescapable
His presence is unshakable
Right now you don’t believe it’s true
A better day is coming
And you don’t need another place to hide
He’ll find you in your darkest night
His love is holding on to you
Even when you’re running.

See, we may run, but God will follow. We may make mistakes, but absolutely nothing you confess could make Him love you less. Truly, you are His child and no one, no person, no temptation, no sin, can ever take that away from you. After all, “Your fear isn’t dark enough, Your pit isn’t deep enough, Your lie isn’t loud enough, to keep Him away from you.”

Let me share some insight from my youth minister, Amy Hodson.

She once asked me: “Is the (Father, Son,) Holy Spirit present in this room? Right now?”

I said, “Well, yeah.”

She said, “Okay. Was the Holy Spirit present in this room 10 minutes ago?”

“Yes,” I said.

She said, “Exactly. The Spirit is always present, but we are not always mindful or conscious of this. However, when we take the time to be mindful, and to simply remember this, we can truly grasp the fact that we are never alone.”

And so, as long we get up and try. And try. And try once more to be mindful of this presence throughout the course of our lives, we will be rewarded by the Father with everlasting life.

In your next time of loneliness or struggle, I encourage you to do this:
Close your eyes and pray. Pray, and look for your shepherd. Do you see Him? He is waiting right in front of you with his arms wide open.