I think of a child walking along the seashore with her father hand in hand. Often she’ll let go of her father’s hand to explore something… and then return. His hand is always there and ready. Most times she’ll approach things that are neither good nor bad. Sometimes she’ll approach things that are bad, or dangerous, even life threatening things… such as a cliff. Always her father is there to give guidance/protection or lend a hand when needed… to teach instruct, comfort, direct, inspire, at times reprove; always with his hand ready outstretched in love and patience.
So it is with Heavenly Father. He is always there to give us guidance, to help… to teach, instruct, comfort, direct, inspire, at times reprove, always to have His hand patiently outstretched. However, in dangerous or soul threatening situations we sometimes get so preoccupied with the excitement of the moment, in our immaturity, that we fail to look up and see our Heavenly Father standing there ready to lend assistance—wanting to lend assistance. If our attention is diverted too long we may slip over the edge into the depths, leaving He who loves us most in sorrow at the top.
…Take His hand. Come back to Him often by talking with Him in prayer. If you know you may be near a soul threatening cliff, talk to Him ahead of time and then don’t let Him be far from your thoughts until the danger is past. Don’t leave Him at the top of the cliff with His hand outstretched to you.
If you have slipped over the edge, remember He is still there for you and willing to descend the depths to bring you home. When you make yourself completely vulnerable to Him, He will make you equal to the much more difficult climb ahead. k
