Letting God Lead
When our kids were itty-bitty my husband Brad and I used to hold little hands a lot.
Sometimes it was to protect them from danger, like if we were crossing a street.
Sometimes it was to calm fears or to help them to feel secure.
Sometimes it was because we were on a mission to get through or to a place quickly.
Other times it was for the simple pleasure of strolling, skipping and smiling together.
Now that they’re older, my kids aren’t so keen on holding hands with mom and dad anymore. Sigh. There’s still the occasional watching-a-movie-on-the-couch-at-home handhold, but it’s a rarity. And I miss it.
I love locking fingers with my people. There’s a beauty and intimacy to it. A tangible connection that binds our skin and braids our souls.
I love walking with them, hearing their hearts, talking through tight spots, giving advice, laughing and enjoying their company. Similarly, our heavenly Father finds pleasure when you and I walk with Him. When we take His hand and share our time, trials, treasures, and thoughts. The prophet Micah spoke to this:
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God. Got it.
This is a simple, yet profound summary of God’s desire for us. A revealing of His longing for you and me to live in constant communion with Him. To lace our fingers with His in good, bad, scary, and sad times. Whether the sun is high in the sky or thunder rumbles low in our hearts.
This past Sunday, we looked at what Jesus had to say about mercy. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." (Matthew 5:7)
Mercy is God’s kindness to NOT punish our sins as we deserve. It is His restraint from condemning His children (all who believe in their hearts and confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord.) If it weren’t for the mercy of God all hope would be crushed! Instead, hope is vibrant in grace because of Jesus.
We can live responsively to His mercy (love mercy) by being grateful people … people who thank God each morning for a clean slate. We love mercy when we forgive others as we have been forgiven. When we do not condemn others as we might think they deserve. Forgiveness and mercy go hand in hand.
My prayer today is that God would consider me one who walks faithfully with Him. That I would be one who understands the depth of mercy given me and extends it generously to others.
I don’t want to be the girl who only reaches for His hand when the road is bumpy, when my checkbook is empty, or when my feet are stumbly. And I don't want to be like the teenager who is embarrassed by her dad and only gives him attention in private or on occasion. I want to live with the faith of a child who acts justly, loves mercy, and daily takes the hand of her Father to face each moment, mountain, and memory right by His side.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Please teach me to walk faithfully with You. Show me what it looks like to act justly. Convict me when I don't. Help me to love mercy and to give it as freely as I take it. I want to hold Your hand.
In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
~ Gwen Smith is an author, speaker , co-founder of Girlfriends in God and host of the GRACEOLOGIE podcast.