Traction

As the nights have gotten cooler....Bentley, our yellow lab is invited to sleep inside. She knows the drill, stays in her spot in the kitchen on her bed, doesn't roam...and watches every move any of us make. But when it is time to either come in, or go out she has a tough time gaining traction on wooden floors. She had a severe spinal cord accident when she was young, she is now 6, that left her hind legs working but working in a very unstable, crippled way. The muscles that she would need to stand on a slippery floor...have been compromised and she needs help getting up and in and out. And when it is time to move, she tries desperately to gain some traction using her front paws but hardly is able to gain momentum...and then in frustration, turns around and looks at the one who has opened the door...like...well are you going to help me...sometimes she needs a lift...and other times she needs a push! Either way...she is grateful for the assist.

Life has a tendency to spot us too on slippery floors of indecision, frustration, discontent, anger, pride, fear etc. And we too need an assist to help us negotiate it....whatever "it" is! I know there are times when I have been seemingly crippled with emotions...not able to distinguish what is right or wrong and even worse the pulling and pushing of knowing what I should do vs what I don't want to do. I know you know what I mean here...We have all experienced that at some times or another.

Maybe it is age, maybe it is a tiny bit of maturity but as the years have gone by I have learned, like Bentley to not only accept the help that is offered but gladly welcome it. There are times when I need a lift and times when I need a push...but I have learned to trust that if I seek help...from Christ....he will give me the strength and courage and discipline to to do what is right in his eyes and overstep my pulling desire to do things my own way. That battle of wills is a hard battle to fight...mine will or God's! But as often as I have tested and tried to accomplish my will....it seems to always come up short...and I end up needing help to either get out of what I have gotten into or help to get through it.

Christ stands at my door...he stands too at yours...sometimes we need him to lift us up (from circumstances that have weighed us down) and sometimes we need him to push us out ( of circumstances that we have become comfortable in) ...because we are not able to get the traction of discipline that we need, to accomplish what God has purposed for us. I have to admit a need for assistance....Christ's assistance every day with every move. Things just go better with "Christ". I know that....I fight that...but in the end ....I truly have faith in that!

So are you coming into something that you need help with or are you going out into something that you need help with? Christ is there to give us the traction we need to stand firm.. the discipline we need to follow His course....and the trust we need to be confident in the outcome...For God does work through all things for the good of his purposes...to all who love him and have come to him.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

We often times can not see the end results and when we do see results, so many times we do not understand them...but he is in control. Accept his help....and remember that we all need a lift sometimes and we all need a push sometimes.It is an honor that we worship a God who is not only able to help us but it is his greatest desire to "help us"....in any situation.

Just lift your head up...and push your thoughts unto Him...and you will find the help that you need! And be patient....for God hears our call...and is actively working behind the scenes to accomplish his plan for his solution....for our lives...no matter how unsettled things may appear.

Dear Lord, Oh what a blessing that we can call upon your name and you will answer. Give us the traction that we need to go forth of the slippery floors that are beneath our feet. And help us to willing accept your lifts and pushes...when are are having a hard time finding solid footing. Amen
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Praise God where ever you are and whatever situation he has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!