Carly and I were in the car waiting at the traffic lights on the Platt in Wadebridge last week and we both saw a youngish looking Dad walking along the pavement proudly holding the hand of a little boy who was about three to four years old.

 

The little boy then let go of his Dad’s hand and went a few paces by himself and then tripped over falling face down with arms and legs everywhere. We both went “ouch” and we could see that it would have hurt him. Sure enough the little boy screamed – we could hear him in the car - and he managed to stand up just before his Dad reached him. He then fell very grateful into the outstretched and reassuring arms of someone who clearly loved him very much and was distraught that his little charge should be hurt.

 

It reminded me of the relationship that God has with us. He loves it when we take His hand and we walk in the world with him. He is a God who is not an impersonal “being” but one that we can address as Father or as the Bible says we can call Him “Abba” – the Aramaic word for "Daddy". You see God has chosen each one of us to be in his family – even though naturally we have no right to be there.

 

Everyone has some sort of relationship with God. Some people are like the little boy who ran away from his Dad, some try to act as if God did not exist, others openly resent Him. That sort of relationship is characterised by the word “enemies” of God.

 

 

So the little boy let go of his Dad’s hands and whilst he thought that he could manage by himself he fell over and was hurt. That was the time to rush back and be gathered up by the arms that were waiting for him all the time. The pain of the fall was still there – it was evident to see and hear – but he now knew that he was safe and I am sure hugely comforted that his journey out that day was going to be OK in the end.

 

Just wondered how your journey is at the moment. Have you let go of the hand which is there to guide you? God will allow you to do that should you want to. Or is it time that you went back into the open arms of a great Dad (perhaps for the first time) because you realise that actually it hurts when you fall over in this world.

 

Why not make a commitment to walk with Him?

 

Till next time

 

Rich