Acts 2:38
And Peter replied, “Each one of you must
turn from sin, return to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; then you also shall receive
this gift, the Holy Spirit.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
I cannot count the number
of times we have taken the children to the park to play. The first few
trips, Timothy and Zola would often run from us. We would call to them
to come back, and they would keep on running. And I think I shared
recently about taking the children to see the trumpeter swans on a small
lake near our town last winter, and Timothy got caught up in hopping on
some large rocks near the parking lot and would not return when I
called to him.
Almost all kids do this at some point. It seems
like a game to the children…and I’m sure they think it is fun. But we
adults are not at all amused. We know the dangers that are
lurking…traffic, strangers, a body of water, and more. Children have to
learn the importance of turning around when adults call to them!
You
and I are pretty much like toddlers and young children much of the
time. In our grown-up bodies, we defy God and run from Him…sometimes
with wild abandon. We get caught up in the moment…or we think we are
having SO MUCH FUN…or we just flat out do not want to “come when
called.” Whatever the reason, we fail to appreciate the consequences –
and dangers – that await us when we behave so foolishly. We thumb our
noses, so to speak, at God’s love and protection in favor of our own
desires. And the results can be deadly… mentally, physically - and most
certainly – spiritually.
In Acts 2:38, Peter is telling the
crowd at Jerusalem – and us – to turn around and run toward God, as fast
as we can! He is reminding us that the gift of the Holy Spirit awaits
us…that we are safe in God’s arms - and His calling is meant to bless,
not restrain. We must also realize that we are not small children…we
know better, and we must do better.
So listen for God’s
voice…turn around and fall on your knees and ask Him to forgive your
arrogance and/or stupidity – and your false notion that you know what’s
best! Turn around and run to God and bask in His blessings and
perfection. Embrace the Holy Spirit and let Him guide you at every turn.
Be grateful for God’s mercy – and His gifts…and never ever take them
for granted for even a minute!
©2016 Debbie Robus
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