If you have little children, have you ever noticed how quickly they can slip out of your grasp and out of your sight? I remember a specific time when my children were little, and I took them shopping to buy some clothes for winter. With them right by my side, I looked away for just a few seconds, but when I looked back, one was gone.
Immediately my mind went to the worst possible scenario. Someone had obviously taken my son and was now walking out of the shops towards the carpark and I would never see him again! My heart and imagination went into over-drive and I made a bee-line straight for the shop front doors in order to overtake the perpetrator, who I planned to tackle to the ground until he let go of my son and then I would make a citizen’s arrest alerting everyone in the shopping centre to this callous person’s actions and what they’d tried to do.
My beeline, however, was cut short by an all too familiar giggle coming from underneath one of the clothing racks followed by an almighty “roar” as my son jumped forward to surprise me, laughing the entire time at his successful trick.
You’re all feeling it with me right now aren’t you…should I hug him or be cranky with him? Let’s just say my reaction was a bit of both, but overall it was of great relief! And the experience was enough to make me want to leave for the safety of home much sooner than I had planned.
Take a breath
Things aren’t always as they seem, and though our imaginations often get the better of us, it is good to know that we are often wrong.
When Jesus died on the cross, appearances showed that Jesus’ life had ended; the enemy thought he had succeeded in killing the Son of God. How wrong he was! First appearances showed this to be true as Jesus hung on the cross beaten and bloodied, but God had other plans.
While this was all happening, Jesus was dealing with death, once and for all, and making a spectacular “ROAR” in the spiritual realm, defeating the enemy in order for all of God’s children to come to Him and receive eternal life.
Circumstances can sometimes seem dire in the natural and the enemy takes delight in seeing people scared and fearful. But God says repeatedly throughout the Bible, “do not fear!”
Fear only gives power to evil, while faith gives way to miracles. We know the God in whom we trust, and we know that He is able to do ‘immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine’ (Ephesians chapter 3 verse 20).
While the natural appears one way, God’s plan is abundantly more elaborate, and He is at work all the time. At just the right time He will make a “ROAR” and reveal the perfection of the goodness of God, revealing His great plan. How exciting! The question is, which scenario has our focus? The good scenario or the worst?
God is doing greater things
Just like a little child who is afraid of the dark, or a storm, or a spider, instincts bring them straight into the arms of the one they find safety in. They throw their arms around you and tuck themselves under your arms for safety and refuge. In turn, our arms wrap around them and we utter words of comfort and reassurance that all will be well. We know we are capable of keeping them safe and capable to deal with the danger at hand due to our greater understanding of the situation.
So too, God is our great Father who covers us with His feathers, and under whose wings we will find refuge (Psalm chapter 91 verse 4).
Psalm chapter 5 verse 11 says, “let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”
God wants us to come to Him like a little child, wrapping our arms around His waist while He covers us in His. When things may seem unsure or unsettling in the natural, remember— God’s plans are greater. He is the source of life and healing and comfort. He has many surprises in store for us and, if we make our refuge in Him, He will reveal them at just the right time, and we will celebrate in the great and triumphant “Roar” of our God.