A few months ago, I decided to take my one-year-old into DSW without a stroller. I had taken him there before with a stroller, but I didn’t realize until this trip how necessary having a stroller would be. As soon as he had the opportunity, he started running around the store as fast as his little legs would carry him. It got so hard to keep up, I started sending my 4 year old to run after him. I’m sure in his one-year-old mind, he was having fun, and he felt free. However, his daring fun and freedom turned dangerous when he got close to the escalator.
Sometimes we can treat life like my son did. Running around and having a good time doing things our way. We ignore the voice that tells us to stop running and to stay where it is safe. Unbeknown to us there is danger in our path. The stroller acted a a protective barrier to keep my son safe, but when we didn’t use it, there was trouble. In the same way, listening to God’s word and following His Spirit keeps us safe.
For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.
Proverbs 1:32-33 (ESV)
Thankfully, I was able to catch my son before he tried to get on the escalator. In the same way, God is merciful and often keeps us from disaster even when we don’t heed warnings. However, the ultimate disaster awaits us if we do not put our hope in the salvation that God provides.
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:20-23 (ESV)
Doing things our own way can feel like freedom, but it is really slavery to sin. We face eternal death and separation from God if we choose to do things our way. Following Jesus gives us true freedom. If we surrender our lives to make Jesus our Lord, and have faith that he died to forgive our sins and rose from the dead to give us a new life, we have God’s gift of eternal life with Him.
because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)
Lord, forgive me for chasing after the false freedom of sin. In your mercy and grace you have given me the gift of true freedom in Jesus. I surrender to you.