Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.
Psalm 37:5 (ESV)
Series: Games People Play
Thinking back to my elementary school days brings up many mixed emotions. During those years, I was a very shy student. I didn’t want to be noticed by the teacher and I was hesitant to even raise my hand in class. At the same time, in my little friend’s circle, I felt safe, connected, and free to be myself. During recess, I was always a little more adventurous and daring. Although I wasn’t the smartest or the most athletic, I held my own. A competitive spirit wasn’t something I hid very well, and it made me an excellent candidate for the games we played during that free time.
One game I loved to take part in was called “Red Rover.” Can you hear the song playing in your head?
Red Rover, Red Rover, send “insert name here” right over.
This game challenged your confidence, strength, strategic thinking, and speed. We started by choosing teams. If you were strong, fast, and fearless, you were chosen in the first few rounds. But, if you were weaker, slower, or scared, you were bound to be chosen last—unless your best friend was a captain! Of course, no one wanted to be picked last, but one benefit was – there were lower expectations placed on your performance. Each team lined up hand in hand across the playground, trying to build an unbreakable fortress. The goal was to keep the person from the other team from being able to break through the line. The name call began, but this time, those who were chosen first to strengthen the line were chosen last to run through. If you couldn’t break through the opposing team’s line, you ended up on their team.
Aspects of this game relate to our faith walk. God calls our name. We have two choices. Run toward Him for freedom and forgiveness through Jesus, or run the other way. How many times did you hear God call your name before you ran fearlessly toward Him? Once, twice? Perhaps you still haven’t put on those running shoes. Maybe you know He’s calling you to Himself, but so many obstacles seem to block your way. Roadblocks are real. Distractions, disappointments, heartaches, and temptations are all lined up side by side hoping you will fail to breakthrough.
God doesn’t choose us because we are strong, weak, fast, or slow. He chooses us because He loves us. And because He loves us, He sent Jesus to call our name and rescue us. Breaking through the walls of doubt, shame, guilt, and past mistakes is our Savior’s speciality. The enemy comes at us full force to pull us away from Jesus. He stops at nothing to drag us into a place of uncertainty, complacency, self-reliance, and depletes our souls to the point of collapse. The enemy knows it is in Christ we find our strength, power, and ability. It is through Jesus we can run and not grow weary, we can walk and not be faint. It’s not surprising that Satan does everything he can to distort the victory we have through Christ. Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV) is a reminder of this truth:
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
In the game Red Rover, the team who ends up with all the players on their line wins. In our faith walk, the triumph happens when we join together, tell others about the Good News of Jesus, and build His Kingdom. Do you hear your name being called? Will you run toward Him today? Oh, how I hope you do! So much freedom, confidence, and joy await you as you breakthrough that “line” and trust Jesus for your victory!
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV)
Holding Fast to Hope,
Jen
Scripture References: Psalm 37:5; John 10:10; Isaiah 40:28-31; Jeremiah 17:7-8