“When the
morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your
wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the
punishment of the city.” And while he lingered, the men took hold of his
hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the LORD being
merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.”
(Genesis 19:15-16 NKJ)
morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your
wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the
punishment of the city.” And while he lingered, the men took hold of his
hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the LORD being
merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.”
(Genesis 19:15-16 NKJ)
Like many toddlers,
my son resisted holding our hands when his mother “took” us shopping.
As any parent of a toddler knows, no amount of loving instruction about dangers
and strangers makes any difference to that age group. They are focused on independence
rather than safety.
my son resisted holding our hands when his mother “took” us shopping.
As any parent of a toddler knows, no amount of loving instruction about dangers
and strangers makes any difference to that age group. They are focused on independence
rather than safety.
On one of those
excursions to the mall, Jonathan “got free” and his curiosity took
him aimlessly across the store. Since I wasn’t enjoying “shopping,” I
decided to carefully follow him and see what would happen. I never took my eyes
off him and he wondered right out of the store into the high traffic of people
in the mall’s hallway.
excursions to the mall, Jonathan “got free” and his curiosity took
him aimlessly across the store. Since I wasn’t enjoying “shopping,” I
decided to carefully follow him and see what would happen. I never took my eyes
off him and he wondered right out of the store into the high traffic of people
in the mall’s hallway.
I am certain that he
thought he was still near Bobbie and me. And when he suddenly entered this
larger stream of human beings, he looked around to see where we were but
couldn’t see us, so he panicked and began screaming. Then, having lost all
reference to directions, he ran in the opposite direction looking for us and
yelling, “Daddy!”
thought he was still near Bobbie and me. And when he suddenly entered this
larger stream of human beings, he looked around to see where we were but
couldn’t see us, so he panicked and began screaming. Then, having lost all
reference to directions, he ran in the opposite direction looking for us and
yelling, “Daddy!”
Since he started
running, so did I, and his little legs carried him faster than mine carried me.
My calls to him did not reach him through the noisy malaise of the crowd.
Finally, a lady coming toward him recognized the situation and physically
stopped him, even though he violently resisted her. Her efforts and my voice
finally got his attention. He looked around at me and raced into my waiting
arms, just steps away.
running, so did I, and his little legs carried him faster than mine carried me.
My calls to him did not reach him through the noisy malaise of the crowd.
Finally, a lady coming toward him recognized the situation and physically
stopped him, even though he violently resisted her. Her efforts and my voice
finally got his attention. He looked around at me and raced into my waiting
arms, just steps away.
Like a child who
won’t hold a parent’s hand, we lose our direction – our reference points –
without someone to follow. Sometimes, we linger while our Lord urges us to
safety. Jesus said, “Come follow me”
(Matthew 19:21; Luke 18:22). And in obedience to his will and purpose, our
lives take on new meaning.
won’t hold a parent’s hand, we lose our direction – our reference points –
without someone to follow. Sometimes, we linger while our Lord urges us to
safety. Jesus said, “Come follow me”
(Matthew 19:21; Luke 18:22). And in obedience to his will and purpose, our
lives take on new meaning.
As we follow Jesus,
it is easy to determine our next step, and what our goals are. But the
attractions and cares of life can distract us into letting go of his hand. This
momentary decision of letting go moves us toward danger, disaster and
destruction, away from the safety of Christ’s protection.
it is easy to determine our next step, and what our goals are. But the
attractions and cares of life can distract us into letting go of his hand. This
momentary decision of letting go moves us toward danger, disaster and
destruction, away from the safety of Christ’s protection.
But with my hand
firmly in his, I am confident that “. . . I will dwell in the house of the
Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6)
firmly in his, I am confident that “. . . I will dwell in the house of the
Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6)
Dear Father, thank
you for your call to follow your Son, Jesus Christ. Empower us with the
steadfast faith to never let go of his hand, not even for a second. I pray this
in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for your call to follow your Son, Jesus Christ. Empower us with the
steadfast faith to never let go of his hand, not even for a second. I pray this
in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Take Christ’s hand
and follow him today,
and follow him today,