HomeWord - July 31, 2009

Catch Me If You Can 
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

…always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God’s holy people who live in light. For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. —Colossians 1:12-13 (NLT)

The 2002 movie, Catch Me If You Can was adapted from the true story of Frank Abagnale, Jr., who, in the 1960s, spent four years of his late adolescence impersonating an airline pilot, a doctor and a lawyer—all the while writing bad checks around the world to the tune of 2.5 Million dollars. The movie fictionalizes these escapades, and shows Abagnale relentlessly pursued by an F.B.I. agent named Carl Hanratty, who eventually captures Abagnale.

After Abagnale spends some time in prison, Hanratty works to get Abagnale released into F.B.I. custody. Upon release, Abagnale is then transformed into a key F.B.I. expert on identifying fraudulent checks. The movie ends with a caption about how Abagnale and Hanratty are still close friends to this day.

Catch Me If You Can reminds me of another similar story that in many respects is common to all Christ-followers. It is the story of all those who are pursued, captured and transformed by God. God, through His Spirit, pursues each of us relentlessly regardless of how far we’ve strayed from Him through sin. At some point in our story, God catches up with us, and we who respond to the good news of Jesus’ offer of forgiveness and new life have indeed been captured by His love. All who seek to follow Him are transferred into His Kingdom and His service and experience lives transformed by the renewing power of the Holy Spirit. From now through eternity, we are God’s friends.

Today, thank God for your story and for His ongoing presence and work in your life!

GOING DEEPER: 

What is one area of your life where you have seen God transform you?

What is one area of your life that you believe God is pursuing you in order to transform you. 

FURTHER READING: 
Luke 15:1-7; John 16:7-11; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18