Having a Heart in a Sometimes Heartless World
Scripture focus: Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. Galatians 5:1
Today I spent some time taping for one of our teaching DVDs. We took a road trip and shot footage in front of tall walls and on top of them too! Along the way, we met a lady who was agitated, paranoid and out of touch with the reality our team was experiencing. (I wouldn’t dare to judge which of us were sane!) Anyway, she was restless and unsettled. In losing touch with her world, she finds herself in a dangerous place. Blowing winds, ducks, street signs – all seek to destroy her. She’s not the only one restless! Many in our country are fretting over economic issues, global conflicts and a host of problems that leave us unsettled.
John Eldredge writes an interesting commentary in his recent newsletter when he says…”It seems that until we align ourselves with what God is up to in our lives, we are forever straining at the leash, unsettled, restless, sometimes feel as though God is not helping us, at other times feeling like we are fighting him. All the plans we make, the desires we hold, all that we spend our energy on is headed in some direction or other; we have something in mind. Sometimes I just want relief; sometimes I am angling for a happy life; sometimes I am simply trying to survive. It all seems amiss, and this passage explains why [he’s referring to the George MacDonald quote that is written out in Day 328 of this devotional series]. I may be a son, but I am not living like it.
Children live on a metaphorical parental leash. As parents, we know the immaturity of our children, and so we must protect them from dangers that they cannot see. Babies sleep in cribs because parents need to know they’ll stay there until morning. Toddlers are carried or hold their parent’s hands crossing streets. Third graders aren’t given driving permits. These are leashes. They are there to protect the young.
However, as children grow into sons and daughters, they’re no longer bound by a leash to their parental units. My adult children make their own life choices now. They choose how they spend their money, where they want to live, and what jobs they take. They pick their own dates and will decide someday who to marry. My children and their spouses will determine whether or not to make me a grandmother and if so, how many times. My husband and I have no votes in these choices – and that’s as it should be.
But Pete and I hope and pray that while they were leashed, we provided them with an environment that nurtured each of our three children’s true, God-created identities. We didn’t leash them to limit their opportunities or withhold the good life. We created an environment that was developmentally appropriate and in keeping with their maturity. We felt that we had a job to do so that when they were unleashed, they would be equipped to run toward their big dreams skillfully. I believe that this is what God is doing for us, too.
Sons and daughters eventually choose whether they want to be believers or followers (more on this distinction in tomorrow’s devotional) of their parents. And in terms of our spirituality – we face this same decision with our heavenly Father too.
Recommended reading: Daniel 1 and 2 in the morning; 1 Peter 4 and Psalm 103 in the evening
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