In many ways, we are all still like little children, needing our Father’s guidance.
I remember walking outside with my little children, holding their hand so they wouldn’t self-destruct. They had no sense of the danger of running into a street of traffic, or wandering alone into a big crowd of people. They weren’t even aware how much they truly needed me.
But I held their hand tightly — even when they strained to run free. And God does the same with us. In fact, He is holding our hand tighter than we are holding His.
God is always trying to lead us into all truth, and into new steps of faith. But sometimes we hold Him back — through our distractions, or even a self-pity session. And when that happens, He pauses His plans for us, sitting patiently with us until we’re ready to forgive someone, stop complaining, or continue that step of faith He called us to.
A Warning from the Wilderness
The children of Israel were invited to go into the promised land. Joshua and Caleb declared, “We can do it!” But the others said, “We can’t… the enemy is too strong for us.” They couldn’t enter — because of their unbelief.
And so they unnecessarily wandered the mountainous wilderness for another forty years before finally entering the land God had promised them. All because of unbelief.
So, how long will we hold back God’s will for us?
I get it. None of us are perfect. We are all still growing in our faith. But how long will we listen to the same fears? The same excuses? The same lack of faith in God? When will we remove our distractions? When will we finally rise up and fulfill God’s purpose for us?
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13 NLT
“For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 AMP
Our solution is one word:
SURRENDER.
As we again invite God to become our daily Leader and Lord, something changes inside us. His strength actually becomes our strength.
And by His power, we stop meandering and going off course. We stay focused on doing His will — for now we are also holding His hand tightly!