God is Responsible for you: Leashed vs Unleashed? - Tuesday P & P (for others) April 19, 2022

Have you ever seen those kids at the mall whose parents put those dog leashes on them? Fine, I exaggerate. Unlike a dog leash, this one doesn't go around the child's neck but is connected to a backpack that usually looks like a teddy bear or some other cute animal. Also, they're branded as harnesses or tethers. Yet, a leash is a leash no matter how it's packaged, right? Now ask yourself, in your walk with God, do you want to be the kid who walks with his parents in the mall leashed or leash-free? We've been learning about God and how He's responsible for us. As a good Father, it's His job to get us through the 'mall of life' without us being kidnapped or getting too adventurous (read trouble) if we were to wander off. After all, crazy things happen at malls nowadays. So, if you're a child of God, with a penchant for being naughty, you can take the approach of Jonah (discussed on June 15th, 2021) who was instructed to go to Nineveh and prophecy. Jonah, using human logic, had a tantrum of sorts and decided to get in a ship going in the opposite direction, as far away from where God was leading as possible. By now, we should all know how that ended: he ended up on a sinking ship, was thrown into the sea then landed in the belly of a fish, which spat him out on Nineveh's shores. He was stubborn, but God put a leash on him and despite his shenanigans got him safe through the chaos of the 'mall'. You can also move like Elijah. We talked about him on November 5th, 2021. If you recall, Queen Jezebel threatened God's prophet and in fear, he ran into the wilderness. This right after ridding the Kingdom of Israel of 850 false prophets and showing the people that God answers by fire. And, he prayed to open the heavens and send down rain on a parched nation that hadn't seen rain in 3 years. That same man of God ran when his life was threatened. How did God deal with this servant? With kindness. Unlike disobedient Jonah, Elijah was fed miraculously, visited by angels, spoken to by God and reset in his ministry. We can be the kids that are gently guided back to the path of righteousness or we could be the kids who walk with a leash until we learn how to behave. The choice is ours. It doesn't change the fact that God won't relinquish His responsibility for us. After all, He knew us from before we were born (Jeremiah 1:5). He had great plans for us from the beginning of time (Jeremiah 29:11). Is He expected to just let us live and act however we like, and squander the great destiny that's in store for us? Oh, if we keep up the tantrums He'll eventually let us do what we like because He ultimately respects our right to choose. Particularly if one commits the sin unto death (1 John 5:16). But, is that choice you want to make? I'm a parent and I assure you I know the sweat I've put into my offspring. I'm determined to do all I can to keep them on the right path. Can you see how God would do the same and more for us? So, in your walk with the Lord, who are you going to be? A Jonah or an Elijah? Consider becoming more like Philip, who when instructed by the Holy Spirit to follow a certain chariot, he ran to obey (Acts 8:29-30). May our Father help each of us to listen, hear, and obey with zeal, IJMN, Amen. See you at Noon.