Day 53 - Wherever you go

Wrestling angels 'til dawn breaks through

There's a blessing and a wound

And you're running, you're running from it

When all your demons are at your door

It's a soldier they're looking for

And you're running, you're running from it

But I'm coming for you, coming for you

Wherever you go

I'm coming for you, coming for you

Wherever you go

The Parables of Jesus have long held a fascination for me. They speak in a way that is both comforting and disturbing, challenging and reassuring. I have many, many favourites, but at the top of the list is the Parable of the Lost Son (also widely known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son – Luke 15:11-32). Whenever I preach, teach or just mention this passage I can guarantee that people will tell me how they identify with the father, or the lost son, or even the other son. It's a parable that really draws the listener in.

It is one of 3 parables in Luke 15, along with the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin. One of the themes to take from this chapter is God’s unrelenting pursuit of our hearts, he will not rest until we are found and our wayward lives are brought back to him.

Audrey Assad's song "Wherever You Go" compliments that chapter of Luke perfectly, speaking a powerful message of unwavering presence and pursuit by a loving God. It talks of someone relentlessly coming for another, regardless of the distance, the obstacles, or the internal struggles. I see in this an analogy for God's love and pursuit of our lives.

In Luke 15, and in the wider Gospel message, God is depicted as a loving Father who actively seeks a relationship with his children. Even when they turn away, struggle with doubt, or feel lost, his love remains constant. In the song, the line, "I'm coming for you wherever you go," encapsulates this divine attribute. It speaks to a love that is not bound by human limitations or failures.

Our lives are often described as a journey, filled with highs and lows, moments of clarity and confusion, faith and doubt. In her lyrics, Audrey Assad reflects the inner turmoil and struggles that we may experience on this journey. There are times when people feel the urge to run away from their problems, their past, or even their faith.

The line "Wrestling angels 'til dawn breaks through" brings to mind the biblical story of Jacob, who wrestled with an angel of God. This image symbolises the intense struggles and questions that we often face. It acknowledges that faith is not always easy or straightforward; it often involves grappling with difficult questions and experiences. Even in these moments of wrestling, the song suggests that there is a blessing and a wound, implying that spiritual growth can emerge from pain and struggle.

The song also touches on the theme of suffering and the presence of God in those times. God does not abandon His people in their suffering but rather walks alongside them providing strength and protection.

This song ultimately offers a message of hope and assurance. The repeated phrase, "I'm coming for you," serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, we are not alone. It speaks to the idea that when we have exhausted all other sources of fulfilment and are left feeling empty, God is there with open arms, ready to welcome us back – just like the Lost Son!

Neil Chappell