Run Like Joseph

Many years ago while on vacation in Jamaica, my best friend and I decided to go for a walk, while visiting my grandparents’ house. As we travelled down the road, we passed a cow grazing in the pasture. We passed Mr. Cow without a problem and continued with our walk. We reached the end of the road, or at least as far as were willing to venture, and started heading back to the house. As we turned, I heard a sound and took off running. Not asking any questions but seeing me running, my friend was right in tow. (Being from NY, we knew better than to stop and investigate.)

 We ran right to this house, through the front gate and onto the veranda. Of course, two young girls running and out of breath caused our parents to wonder what had happened, but we didn’t have to give them an answer. As we reached the veranda and turned around, there was Mr. Cow trotting down the road behind us. He then stopped at the front gate, looked at everyone then turned and walked away.

To this day, whenever the story comes up we are asked why we ran. We tell them because we were being chased. Of course our families find this to be one of the funniest stories ever. I also think it’s one of the reasons why my best friend has yet to return to Jamaica, LOL.

My message to you this morning is – “Run Like Joseph”

In the Bible, is the story of Joseph and how he fled after being seduced by his master’s (Potiphar) wife. Joseph was in such a haste to get out of the situation, he literally ran out of his coat.

Not every bad situation requires us to run and leave clothing behind, but it is important that we know when to run. Too many times we try to investigate, manipulate or contemplate whether or not we need to remove ourselves from a compromising situation, which leaves us vulnerable and sometimes in danger. There are times when we may only hear a “sound,” and we need to know to take off running in the other direction.

It’s better to run to safety and realize Mr. Cow wasn’t going to harm you, than to stay and be trampled.