Today, the Lord blessed me with an absolutely gorgeous day in the city and I found myself driving to the nearest metro park to soak in the sun and gorgeous views. I parked, grabbed my backpack, and asked the Lord where to sit. There were several picnic tables around. Some by the playground, some in the middle of an open field, and some conveniently perched under the shade of a tree. I looked around and was drawn to one, isolated from others, on a small hill under a tree. As I walked over to sit, I saw some swings. Before sitting down, I asked Him which side of the table to sit on; the one facing the open field, or the one facing the swings. He said, “Look at the swings. I have something to teach you.” I grabbed my journal and began to write. This is what God taught me.
Swings
A piece of rubber attached to metal chains. Slowly swaying with the breeze, unoccupied, but always ready for use.
I take the invitation.
Forward. Backward. Forward. Backward.
The harder and more consistent I kick, the higher I go.
Freedom felt as I soar through the air; as the wind brushes over my skin and through my hair.
The excitement and joy clearly visible on my face. I feel like a child again.
Forward. Backward. Forward. Backward.
This is us. All of us who claim to have a personal relationship with the Maker and Creator of the heavens and earth.
We’re constantly in a cycle. Spiritual high then spiritual low. Up then down. Forward then backward.
We open the Word and read it. Kick.
We share our vulnerable testimonies. Kick.
We sit with an unbeliever and share the love of Jesus with them. Kick.
We find a place, away from all the distractions, and actually sit silently with the Lord. Kick.
We’re reminded of His character as we listen to the beautiful nature surrounding us. Kick.
We choose to say ‘yes’ and obey, not knowing all the details. Kick.
We fight when the world says to give up. Kick.
We kick and kick, hoping it keeps us in the air, but quickly realize that no matter how strong our effort, we don’t always stay up and moving forward.
Hard seasons are inevitable. This world is full of brokeness and sin and anger and murder and horrible things.
The world has lost sight of the Father and constantly reject His love.
So we stop. We get discouraged. We get tired. We lose sight of the reason why we got on the swing to begin with. It’s not fun anymore.
But we realize that we’re committed. We’re swinging on this pendulum that is life and can’t jump off without getting seriously injured.
So now we’re left with a choice; actually many choices.
We can choose to quit.
We can choose to stop kicking as we slowly come to a stop.
We can choose to get off and walk away.
Sadly, this is true for many Christians.
OR, we can choose to keep kicking.
We can kick knowing it’s not going to be easy all the time, but forward is coming.
We can kick knowing no matter what this life brings, God is still so good.
We can kick knowing joy comes in the morning.
We can kick because Jesus has promised that He is always with us, even as the swing goes backward.
We can kick because the war is already won. We are victorious.
We can kick with a smile on our face because we know, in the depths of our souls, that we are deeply loved and cherished by an amazing God who mournes our hurt.
We can kick because we are His and He is the best Father who takes care of His children.
We can choose joy. We can choose to smile. We can choose to laugh. We can choose to persevere. We can choose to enjoy being on the swing. We can choose Him above all else.
The Father is ready to take you on an incredible ride.
The invitation is waiting. Will you get on?
Thanks for reading!
~A
