“Pet but don’t pick up”, this is what the local petting zoo has gently let us know we can do with the petting zoo animals we will be having at the Grove Kids’ ARC Day on October 30th. My first instinct is, “Of course!”, then I think of my selfish desire as a person who wants to touch everything I see (yes, like a child), “Dang! how can you NOT pick those baby animals up!” The idea that the baby animal has to stay put and trust we will be careful with its well-being is pretty incredible. Because the truth is, I can’t do it as a human with a brain and free will. If I saw a larger mammal towering over me with a hand stretched out, I would flee for sure!

The Lord told the Israelites, as they left Egypt and slavery, that He would fight for them and all they had to do was BE STILL. Not necessarily as a baby animal staying still at a petting zoo, but as in – don’t try to escape in your own strength or in your own plan. God was determined to see His people redeemed and saved at the right time. I always go back to the idea that there is still action to do on our part. Just like the Israelites, they had to get up and go in the direction God told them. Even if that meant through the sea. Again, they had to do it with trust in God and not through their own strength and with their own plan. How are you doing with allowing God to fight your battles? Are you giving Him cue cards for the next move? Are you settling in and being lazy in the fight? Are you prepared to move as He tells you? Remember, He has the birds’ eye view! He has your best in mind, always. Can we trust it? You bet we can.

Let’s encourage one another in this battle for life and the freedom God gives us to worship and lean on Him for our every move.

When you walk through fire