TRUE LIGHT 07/11/2014
CAN YOU SEE ANY SCARS?
"He sees the perils that are in our path that we cannot see. He speaks to us in mercy and grace and He builds us up to meet the dangers and be prepared to receive the things we could not wisely use today..." - A.A. Conra
A little boy decided to go for a swim behind his house. In a hurry, he jumped into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go.
A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after a while in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were scarred greatly. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved. A newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy, asked if he would show his scars. The boy lifted his legs. And then, with pride, he said to the reporter, "look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because! my Dad wouldn't let go." Have you ever been in a struggle in life, either because of your impatience or mistake, only to find yourself in the water infested with Alligators and sharks? Where it seems that no one but you and yourself is aware. I have come to announce to someone this morning that, whether or not you made a mistake that landed you in the mess, just understand that God is holding onto your arms right in the heat of that struggle. He'll never let go, only don't let go. It's not time to quit. You have come too far to let go now.
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. Your scars aren't there to make you ugly, some are there as a reference of how God delivered you in the past so you can trust him both for the present and future battles. Beloved, you are God's.
He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on you, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.
True NUGGET: Hebrews 13:5 "...I will never leave you nor forsake you.” - ESV
Let us pray: Father, thank you for the assurance of your presence with me always; help me to see that fact in Jesus name.
CAN YOU SEE ANY SCARS?
"He sees the perils that are in our path that we cannot see. He speaks to us in mercy and grace and He builds us up to meet the dangers and be prepared to receive the things we could not wisely use today..." - A.A. Conra
A little boy decided to go for a swim behind his house. In a hurry, he jumped into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go.
A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after a while in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were scarred greatly. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved. A newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy, asked if he would show his scars. The boy lifted his legs. And then, with pride, he said to the reporter, "look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because! my Dad wouldn't let go." Have you ever been in a struggle in life, either because of your impatience or mistake, only to find yourself in the water infested with Alligators and sharks? Where it seems that no one but you and yourself is aware. I have come to announce to someone this morning that, whether or not you made a mistake that landed you in the mess, just understand that God is holding onto your arms right in the heat of that struggle. He'll never let go, only don't let go. It's not time to quit. You have come too far to let go now.
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. Your scars aren't there to make you ugly, some are there as a reference of how God delivered you in the past so you can trust him both for the present and future battles. Beloved, you are God's.
He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on you, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.
True NUGGET: Hebrews 13:5 "...I will never leave you nor forsake you.” - ESV
Let us pray: Father, thank you for the assurance of your presence with me always; help me to see that fact in Jesus name.
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