Tug of War by Robin Densmore Fuson

 

How is your rope? Are you close and anchored to the Father?

The rope is long and stretches over a large muddy puddle. The teams are even and made up of strong and determined people. In the middle of the rope hangs a flag directly over the bog. At each end of the rope stands the powerhouse—the largest brute—an anchor—to stay put.

On each side, the teammates tightly grab the rope. They plant their feet. The judge raises his hand and brings it down as he blows the whistle. The players pull. The rope goes taut. Bodies tighten. Muscles expand. Jaws clench.

No movement of the rope. No gain of ground.

Minutes pass. Ten, fifteen, twenty… No give or take. A half-hour. Sweat is pouring off the contestants. Arms and legs shake. Hands bleed. Their bodies are almost spent.  

The flag is still at point center. Who will win? Who will give up? Who will fall into the mud?

As a Christian, have you ever felt that you are on one side of the rope and the Lord is on the other? He is holding your lifeline and you are pulling away. He is drawing you close and you are leaning backward.

You think that if you give in you will fall into the mire. If He lets go, you will fall on your backside. There is no mire. He won’t let you fall. It’s not in His nature. He is all-powerful and will never relax his hold.

All you need to do is trust Him.

If you relax and let Him pull you, you get heavenly rewards. Trust is like that but we want to do things our way. The better, more perfect, way is the Lord’s way. Give in, listen, and obey.

He will never let you down. No need to fear. The task may be difficult and fearful, but He’ll never ask you to do something He won’t equip you for and also go with you every step of the way.

Draw near to God and he will draw near you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you doubleminded. (James 4:8 nkjv)

Have you given Him both ends of the rope and taken His hand to travel on the journey He has called you?