Free to Run
An interesting thing happened to my daughter, Jolie, yesterday. We were preparing food and I realized I didn’t have shredded cheese for a casserole so I asked her to walk to my parents house to see if they had any we could borrow. We live on the same property so it’s a short walk down the driveway. Jolie has done this several times before and I felt very confident in her ability to do this on her own. She agreed and set off to complete the task I had given her. Within a few minutes of leaving she returned bursting through the door in tears. She was crying, “They screamed at me and told me I couldn’t go by myself. They think I’m a baby.” During that time, my parents, brother and son were working the cattle in the barn lot which Jolie had to pass on her way to get the cheese. Jolie explains to me that my son noticed her first and yelled, “Hey, we’re over here.” He thought she had missed them and was going in the wrong direction. Jolie stopped and told him where she was going and continued on down the driveway. Their interaction got my mom’s attention, who saw Jolie headed down the driveway by herself. My mom then proceeded to tell her she was not allowed to do that and told her to go home. I assume my mom was fearful she was going to do something wrong. Neither my son or my mom realized that Jolie was obeying a very specific direction that I had given her. She was never going in the wrong direction or doing anything wrong. So upon her return to me, I had to wipe away her tears and reassure her she was not a baby and she was fully capable of doing it on her own. After a quick pep talk, we walked down the driveway together to get the cheese.
Reflecting on all of this, I thought of the Lord. I wondered how many of his children receive specific directions from him and on their way to complete their assignment they meet people who think they are headed in the wrong direction or believe they are doing something wrong. Unknowingly, these people out of their own insecurities, worries, doubts and fears cause delays and/or cancellations of special heavenly assignments. That their interference may cause discouragement, confusion, frustration and disappointment so much so that the child may never fully recover and want to try again. We have to understand that each child is called according to his purposes and he has a special path illuminated just for them. We have to trust God with his children and remember that he has their name written in the palm of his hand and that he is with them wherever they go. He is the good shepherd and will not lead them astray. As believers, we are called to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding but know that he will make their paths straight.
To the faithful ones who are following him, listen to his voice only. Do what he tells you to do. Run on the path of his commands because that is where your heart is free. That is where it all makes sense and you can gain understanding and know what to do. Commit everything to him and he will take care of the rest. Trust in him alone.
I don’t know about you but I’d like to see more of heaven on earth and more miracles. Let us focus on our own assignments and not the assignments of others. Let us encourage and build one another up understanding that it is all for his glory.
I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. Psalms 119:32
Thank you Lord for the path that you have chosen and illuminated for me to follow. Lord, help me listen to your voice alone and trust in your plan and purpose for my life. Help me to be a believer who encourages others on their path. Thank you for setting my heart free to run with you and promising to be with me wherever I go. In the awesome, precious and mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Highest praise, Wynter
Wynter Kettlewell 