Learning to walk again
What joy it is when little children begin to walk. Their legs propel them forward, sideways and even backwards. Gravity pulls them from side to side; sometimes they fall flat. But when they get better, they can change directions and even come to those who call for them. For the rest of their lives they will remember how to walk, unless something comes along to disturb that pattern. At a late age, I found myself in that position. Illness and unmoving muscles with unmoving ankles made me as helpless as a small child. It was all I could do to pull myself to a sitting position, let alone attempt to walk. Therapy and the moving of my stiffened joints, slowly helped me regain my ability to walk. I don’t let situations get me down, but in those moments I came face to face with how much work it would take to get me upright again — I would totter around, trying not to fall. Gravity works even against older folks– but we have farther to fall. On its own, my heart went back into rhythm and I gained a great deal of energy. As the child takes those steps and motors all over, parents and relatives clamor for him/her to come to them. The first calls from relatives are heeded but in time the child wants to explore so those calls go unheeded. Thus begins a new life of doing what the child wants. Believe it or not, we adults are like this child. The parents call so the child can learn the discipline of obedience. They want the offspring to know that life has responsibilities. Our Heavenly father has called us many times, in past history, to come be a part of the promise we made to him. He would lead and protect us if we only worshipped him, alone. I know this comment is a hindrance to some but all other deities have no power or authority to meet God’s promise. My point is that maybe all of us need to hear our call to walk the way of the cross — come back to the kingdom and forget about all the voices that call us to other rebellions. The ways of the world has nothing to offer in terms of peace, love and forgiveness. Wouldn’t it be great if the world could be like Nineveh, repented and restored?