Into the water | Devotion

A co-worker took this picture and had the image on his phone. At first glance, it pierced my heart. My eyes began to sting as so much was being said. Yet there were no audible words.  Days have gone by and I continue staring at this picture. Still consoled and still stirred.

Background details

This picture was taken after church one Sunday. The little girl and her family had become separated. She was on a long sand bar and was not supposed to get wet. Her family adamantly began calling for her to come back to them. She chose the path that seemed, to her, the shortest distance.

My observation(s)

1. She is not concerned with what may be the best route or what she is wearing or how deep she is getting. What risks might be involved.
2. Nor is she looking back. The destination is more important than where she has been.
3. She has a mission and a plan to get there. She is serious about where she is going.
4. She is not stopping to consider the opinions of others that are watching or what they might be saying.
5. The only view is of her and the movement of her getting to where she is going.
6. “Farther away” or “Closer to” depends on who you might ask.
7. This is an ordinary thing but the Holy Spirit used it anyway.  

He calls

But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,“
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
-Isaiah 43:1-2

Our response

"Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. - Mathews 18:3

Application Questions

God is calling. Do I jump in and go? Am I delaying by considering the options, consulting with others, calculating distance? Or am I somewhere in the middle stagnant or still on dry land…?

Is there anyone else that I hear calling aside from him? How does that affect my mission?

Do I accept ownership of the fact that I share his name? (See verse 7). I am a part of him. I should respond and continue moving in his direction.

Do I alienate others with in my own walk or draw others in?

If someone were following me, would it change my response?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, how blessed are we that you never stop calling and at any time we can come to you. You have no unacceptable methods. When our heart decides, we can just move forward. As it says in James 4:8 when we come near to you, you also come near to us. There are times in each of our lives when we must walk alone to find you. No matter where we are in our journey, help us each know and feel your response as you are also drawing closer. There is no greater peace than the one that is provided in your presence. There is no greater love than the one that transcends from the heavens. There is no greater relationship than the one that we can have with you. For thine is the kingdom, power and glory, forever and ever amen.