Stop!

“STOP!” I yelled as my son went to cross the road from between some bushes without looking. I prayed a prayer of thanks that he actually listened to me . All those times of practicing paid off along with some divine intervention I’m sure. I could see from where I was standing what he was about to do, I could see the oncoming traffic and I knew neither of them would see the other until it was too late.

Do you think I was showered with praise from my 4 year old son for saving his life? Nope. Not even an acknowledgement. I was the ‘bad guy’ for ruining his fun and his ‘freedom’ to go where he wanted.

A lot of people I talk to view God in the same way. They think God is standing over them, or watching from afar ready with lots of rules and regulations to ruin their fun and take away their freedom. That is so far from the truth. There are two basic facts about God that people miss.

Firstly, God loves you!

And Secondly, God wants you to live.

He loves you so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross you that you don’t have to be separated from Him. He died so that you could live forever in Heaven, and so that you could live fulfilled on earth. God’s directions in the Bible help you to do that. They provide guidelines so you can live freely without unnecessary hurt or injury and they help others to see that you are different so they can find out too!

Deut 30:20 says “Choose life…that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life.” (NIV)

I am alive inside because I have a relationship with God. And now, I choose life. I want to spend time with Him and learn about Him more. I want to listen to His voice and respond when He prompts me to do things (or stop doing things) and I want to hold fast to Him, because I know that He has the best plans for me.

Next time we go near a road my son will be holding tightly to my hand.

How tightly are you holding on?