Healthy Risk (3)
Wednesday August 12, 2015
Facing pain and need is difficult for all of us. We've avoided such things in the past as much as we could. We've run away. We've hidden in addiction. We've lied and manipulated in order to try to survive. Jesus invites us today to a new and living way – what we perceive as a risky way -- a way of bringing our problems to Him, seeking His solutions, and following His advice rather than running on our own panic stricken self-will.
What aching need do we have in our life right now? Are we afraid to approach Jesus and tell Him about it? Of course Jesus already knows about it but wants us to admit our need to Him without shame or fear. What is holding us back? Are we afraid He won't care? Maybe years of rejection by those around us have convinced us that our need isn't important, that we're not worth the bother. But that isn't what Jesus says, and He waits for us to come to Him. We’ll have to take the risk of changing our behaviour, our circumstances, and our attitudes to match what God says. It’s work. It’s a challenge, but the benefits are deeply satisfying.
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. (Ephesians 1:5, 7 NLT) Are we going to continue to focus on our circumstances and the things we wish we could change but cannot? Instead, why don’t we take a risk and let Jesus take our pain and lead us into a secure future filled with His love and kindness? We may not have had a choice about the hurt we’ve already endured, but, we do have a choice in allowing Jesus into our life to be our Saviour and Lord and care for us.
Jesus looks at us with love in His eyes and says softly, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)
Heavenly Father, you know my heart. I've lived too long trying to sort things out for myself and seeking my own solutions for troubles I face. Today I want to take a healthy risk and put my trust in your love and care for me as you lead me on a new path. Amen
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