This is Benjamin. He is my 2 yr-old boy, and every ounce a boy. When I walk with Ben, it reminds me of how God must see me. Take, for example, a simple walk to the post office box around the corner where we get our mail. Benjamin jumps at the chance to go anywhere with Daddy, but once we’re out the door and heading down the sidewalk, a funny thing happens. 5-10 seconds into the walk, he’ll let go of my hand. There are just so many interesting things to see, jump on, touch, pick, smell, etc. He knows I’m there with him and that gives him a feeling of safety, which is good. But he knows nothing of traffic and the accompanying dangers of wandering into the road. And he gets distracted. If I don’t keep a watchful eye on him, he is liable to be looking one direction and walking another, completely forgetting the rest of the world around him. I’ll have to call him back to me, announcing the danger into which he is unknowingly meandering. I love that little boy so excruciatingly much that at times I pursue him, grab hold of his hand and basically drag him back to the sidewalk, back to the purpose we’re about, which is getting to the post office box to retrieve our mail. He usually is happy to return to my side and hold my hand…until 3 seconds later when another curiosity takes his attention away from the path.
I feel like I am just like Ben in so many ways. I was so encouraged by the Lord the other day when he led me to Ephesians 3:12. Speaking of Jesus, it says, “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Wow, what an amazing thing to be welcomed into relationship with him. As my heavenly Father, he has expressed his love and desire for relationship in so many ways and so many occasions. Galatians 5:25 is one of my favs. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” But there are so many interesting things just a few steps away from my walk with Him. So many curiosities I long to examine, to hold, play with, experiment with, all the while I remain ignorant of the danger into which I wander. Honestly, sometimes I’m worse than Benjamin. At times I know good and well the danger I drift into. It’s that struggle with my sin nature that lingers day to day.
So on this day, let me encourage you, my fellow wanderers. Let us heed our Father’s call to stay on the path, back to the purpose for which we were called. Let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us take time each day to walk alone with the Father for a spell, for He loves us so excruciatingly much.
Author: Pastor Jonathan Blycker