To Be Held

by Ken Bradford

Matthew 14:22-32
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

 
The other day my grand daughter, Andi, did something she does a lot. She walked up, put up her arms and said, "hold me". Nothing different about that from all other toddlers. Each of my grandchildren did this and all children do. Most of the time it melts our heart and we are glad to hold them. Sometimes it is frustrating because we are in the middle of a task so we say, "I can't right now, I have groceries in my hands." or something. But Andi never seems to care what I'm doing, she just wants to be held.
 
What does God want from us? He said "except you become as a little child". God wants us to look up at him, put up our arms and say, " hold me". Because when it gets to the simplicity of the gospel, God wants to hold me and you.
 
Why does Andi look up and say hold me? Sometimes she is scared, or tired, or hurt. But I think sometimes she just likes the view from way up where I am.   She has a kneecap view of the world.  She likes to feel my arms holding her. All the same reasons for us to look up to God, put up our arms and say hold me. Sadly we get to thinking we are too big for that or don't need it. Then something comes along to remind us we need God to hold us.   His arms are never too full to reach down. God wants to hold us so bad he gave Jesus.
 
- Ken Bradford

No Comments