“…
Increase our faith.”
Luke 17:5
We don’t have any pets. Yet a
stray cat we named, Mystery, captured our hearts for awhile. We named him Mystery because we never knew
where he came from or where he went.
He lived in the wooded area near our house. We often saw him crossing our lawn or resting
in a sunny area. At first, each time he
saw one of us, he ran away as fast as he could.
Mystery stayed near our house on and off for about two years. For about six months of that time, I saw him
nearly every day.
I began to leave him food and water. I even put a box at the edge of the woods with some wood shavings when
it was really cold. I called him. I searched for him.
He began to know me. While he never got within arm’s reach, he wouldn’t
run as far, and he would look at me from a safe distance.
I hoped that one day Mystery and I would be friends. I wanted him to trust me.
During this time, I began to get a picture of how people can be similar
to our stray cat.
God pursues us. He provides for
us. He waits for us to trust him. He’s very patient and kind. But it’s up to us to respond. He doesn’t trap us or force us to stay
against our will.
My relationship with Mystery was all one-sided. I gave. Mystery took.
Both Christians and unbelievers can take this attitude with God.
He stands waiting, providing and wooing us to himself. Just like I desired a relationship with
Mystery, God desires a relationship with you. He wants us to trust Him.
I’m sorry to report that Mystery disappeared one day, never to
return. He had things pretty good here –
shelter, food, water, and even love. Yet
he did not choose to stay.
Aren’t we all a little like Mystery at times? We choose to go it alone even though we have
a loving Heavenly Father.
How will we respond to God’s love? If you haven’t accepted His invitation for forgiveness and eternal life,
will you do it now – before it’s too late? If you are a believer, how will you respond to God’s invitation for your
life today? Will you trust Him?
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of
trouble. He cares for those who trust in him (Nahum 1:7).
No comments:
Post a Comment