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“He (God) drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” Psalm 40:2 (ESV)

“I can’t get out,” echoed from my sleepy, raspy voice. No matter how hard I tried, didn’t matter how much I wiggled or strained to reach the car door. I simply couldn’t get out. And right in the midst of my tragic moment, my sweet man is laughing his head off. You see it was 11:00 pm and we had just arrived home after a long drive from the beach. Sleep seized me once dark set in on the journey home and now, I wanted nothing more than my cozy bed. Regardless of my determined effort to pull myself out of the car it wasn’t happening. Why? I had totally forgotten about the seat belt holding me securely in place.

Wonder how many times we attempt to wiggle away from or strain to reach out from God’s protection in our lives? Feeling His firm grip as if He would withhold His best, we continuously persist in seeking our own way. Couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve sought free only to be held more captive than I’d dared imagine as a result of my own choices. All because my eyes were blinded to His ways. All because I forgot His track record of faithfulness. Definitely due to moments when I entertained the enemy’s lies.

Don’t have to look deep into scripture to find women, like us, who removed themselves from His protective care. Eve traded perfection in paradise for tasty fruit in her pursuit for more. Sarah exchanged peace and harmony with Abraham for a manipulated plan to build a family. Rebekah missed out on watching her children flourish because stealing a blessing seemed more appealing. Leah and Rachel entertained comparison and competition – the place where no one wins. And that sweet friends is just the beginning – one book (Genesis) filled with women just like us who allowed their way to seem better than His.

Our loving, kind and patient Father reminds us ever so gently that His withholding is always for our good. The Lord is our Shepherd, we shall not want (Psalm 23). He guards us. He goes before us. He positions us to escape any temptation strategically placed to lure us away (I Corinthians 10:13). He cautions, warns and His words are filled with the stories of real women who lived real lives just like you and me. Journeys filled with consequences and chaos from choosing their own way.

God has given us a free will – a blessed right to choose – will we embrace His divine plan or settle for a costly yet cheap counterfeit?

“Father, You long for us to rest with feet firmly planted on Your truth. Unshakeable by the lure to seek our own good in a world that will never satisfy. Fully trusting in Your way and not our own.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life