The Narrow Path (2)
by Lindsey Hanekom
We need to walk closely to Jesus to stay safe on our journey through life. Yet, that shouldn’t be our motivation for staying close to Jesus.
As I walked along the river with my son, it wasn’t me who insisted that he held my hand so that I could keep him safe. Kyle had chosen to hold my hand just because he wanted to be with me. When the path was smoother, we thoroughly enjoyed walking together, chatting about what we could see. When there were obstacles coming up we were able to avoid them without it being difficult or even really interrupting our time together. He never questioned the fact that I would keep him safe.
This is just how it should be with God. We shouldn’t approach our relationship with Him because it keeps us safe. It’s very easy to look at all the difficulties and obstacles in life, praying hard that God will help us through. Yet, we so easily miss the fun and enjoyment of life with Him, simply walking hand in hand with Him every day, knowing that whatever happens there’s a strong hand guiding and protecting us.
When the pathway is smoother it’s easy to feel we can do it alone, and then we can drift away from the intimacy that our spirits yearn for. But when the hard times come we’ll struggle to find that intimacy again. We may start to feel we’re losing faith.
Living in a deep and close intimacy with God is the key to life; life that’s full of joy, security and peace. It’s where we can flourish as individuals and where we can enjoy being ourselves with the One who loves us unconditionally and will keep us safe.
Prayer: Father God, I’m sorry if my motivation for walking with You has been wrong. I want to be in relationship with You, enjoying the life that You’ve given me, and enjoying it with You. I’m sorry if I’ve wandered off the narrow path that You’re trying to lead me on, and I ask that You’ll draw me close to You, just because I love you. Amen.
Lindsey Hanekom Lindsey has worked at all of our UK centres over the years and has settled at Ellel Scotland with her husband, Johann and their two young children, Kyle and Zoe. As part of the Leadership Team at Ellel Scotland, Lindsey has a heart for the deeply broken as she oversees the prayer ministry and is an established and passionate teacher with Ellel. In her spare time, Lindsey enjoys the natural world, particularly the ocean, and is trained as a specialist medic to assist stranded and injured marine mammals.
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