As the mother of a three year old daughter I am deep in the throes of tantrum season. Sometimes daily and over things like "good morning", I will find that a howling banshee has replaced my naturally sweet and good natured child. Thus, rendering her completely inconsolable because she has been wronged in some very specific way.
One such example was the day she wanted her juice cup and all I asked in exchange was for her to say "please." That's it; no complex math equations or daring feats of strength and speed, she didn't have to ask in a foreign language, all she had to do was say "please." This proved to be too much and she immediately melted down once again into that inconsolable banshee. She screamed, cried, kicked and refused to use one simple word. Even after being placed in her time out chair she refused to change her mind, she did however beg for juice and hugs and anything that meant she could leave the chair. This whole episode dragged on way longer than it should have and eventually the girl squeaked out a "please" and received her coveted juice, but it got me thinking.
This is a lot like us with God. All we have to do is follow His commands and we will avoid a lot of heartache. If only we didn't work overtime to do anything but what is required of us. This is the creator of the universe; the God who constructed the very atoms in our bodies like a potter with clay and yet, trusting Him and obeying is sometimes the hardest thing to do. Blame it on our stupidity, but stupidity unfortunately has consequences. We stubbornly refuse Him when all we have to do is come to Him.
Jonah spent three days in the belly of a fish and the list continues. We know all the stories, but the question is what do we do about what we know. Go to Him, don't run from Him; especially when it's the last thing you want to do. Instead of indulging in our stubbornness and stupidity, break the cycle and fall on your knees in repentance. Turn from the flesh and turn to the One who has never turned from you.
The Lord is gracious and He never gives up on us, no matter how many times we reject Him. He hung on a cross for us knowing exactly what each and every one of us were going to do to Him. It's jarring to me to remember that He didn't want to die. The image of His crucifixion is so precious and so heartwarming that it's easy to forget that He asked the Father not to make Him do it. He didn't want to hurt and suffer and die, but He ultimately did it for us.
When I'm in active rebellion, running from something I know He's telling me to do or not do depending on the situation I am faced with this image. All I have to do is obey the one who died for me and yet I still find ways not to. So, I'm learning day by day, the Lord has never let me down, my own weakness and stubborn stupidity has. I'm learning that all I have to do is turn to Him.
Psalm 121: 1-2 says, "I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from?
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My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." NIV.
All we have to do is turn our eyes to Him, whatever the need and He will help and fulfill us. We are promised that God will always be our strength.
Psalm 121: 3-8 says, "He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber;
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indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
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The LORD watches over you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
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the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
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The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life;
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the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
All we have to do is trust. So, as hard as that may be, try to remember to turn your eyes to your creator in all things. I promise it's a choice you'll never regret.
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