Walking with God

IMG_9746If you have ever taken a walk with a small child you will recognize this scenario. You are walking down the sidewalk and the child is jumping and skipping along ahead of you. Ideally, you’d rather she stays close, even walking along side you, holding your hand. But as long as she doesn’t venture too far ahead you are willing to let her explore a little. She skips along, jumping over the cracks in the sidewalk, stopping to squat down and watch a bug crawling along the edge.

All is well until you look ahead and see that you are approaching a busy intersection. Your first action is to call to the child. “Stop! Don’t cross by yourself, wait for me.” If she has been trained to be obedient she will stop and wait. When you catch up to her you take her hand, check your surroundings and then lead her safely to the other side.

Your Heavenly Father does this for you every day. He walks along with you, watching for danger, keeping you safe. He is willing to allow you to explore a bit, to check out your options in life. But as soon as He sees a critical intersection up ahead he calls to your heart. “Stop, listen, wait for me. I will guide you. Wait for me.”

Are you an obedient child who will wait or are you a bit rebellious? Do you say, “Yes, Father, I will wait.” Or do you say “I can do it myself?”

Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” 

Proverbs 2:6-9 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright; he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair–every good path.