Gently Directing

Nehemiah 9:17b - But you are a God who forgives; you are gracious and loving, slow to be angry. Your mercy is great; you did not forsake them. (GNB)

As I was sitting in a public area recently, I saw a beautiful picture unfold before my eyes. A very tall dad walked in, with his very small son walking slowly in front of him. As soon as they entered the building, there was a choice of which way to go -- right or left. The little boy started to head right, but the father walked up behind him, gently took hold of his shoulders, and steered him to the left. The wee son walked in the direction that the father steered him. I wonder what the father would have done had the son determined to go the other way. Would he have gently directed his son once again in the right direction? If the little boy had decided to go the wrong way once again, I wonder how many times the father would have been patient and directed his son again and again.

I thought about how like Jesus that dad was. Jesus is gentle. He steers us in the direction that He wants us to go -- in the direction that is best for us.

Yet so many times, even after Jesus holds our shoulders and steers us, we don't allow Him to do so. We jerk ourselves out of His gentle hands and go the direction that we want to go. What does He do when we react like that?

We have the freedom of choice. We can choose to go where the Father directs us, or we can choose to go the way we want. Yet, we know that no matter our choices, He is watching over us. He does care. He stands patiently by and is so willing to direct us again and again if need be.

Lamentations 3:22 - It is by the kindnesses of Jehovah that we are not consumed, for His mercies are not ended. (LITV)

Let us ever be aware of God, the Father, directing us. Let's be willing to be directed -- the very first time.

Prayer: Father God, when we really think about You and Your patience, we are overwhelmied. Thank You for loving us exactly the way we are and for being so kind and gentle and patient with us. We are human. We are frail. We are stubborn. But Your love is unending. Your mercies are unending. Thank You. Amen.

Judy Miller
Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada