Make me

I have been reading devotionals by Elisabeth Elliot.  This morning she told about going to the ocean as a child and about her brother being afraid to go into the water.  Her Daddy said he would hold him so that he wouldn't be swept out to sea, but the little boy would not budge.  He watched Elisabeth go in, and watched his Daddy hold her tight, and saw how much fun she had, but still he would not go in.

Finally on the last day, he let his Daddy take him and he loved every minute of it!    Then, all of a sudden, he burst into tears!   He asked his Daddy, "why didn't you make me go in!"

So many times in my life and in the lives of those around me, I want to say, "Why don't you make me live the way I am supposed to live!"  Even as far back as Adam and Eve, the Father did not make them obey Him.  They were afraid that if they obeyed Him, they would miss out on happiness.  Elisabeth goes on to say that the things we think we need for happiness may often lead to our ruin, and things we think will ruin us....if we surrender to His strong arms....will bring us not only joy, but deliverance.  

She concludes by saying that her Daddy knew far better than his small, fearful, stubborn son what would give him joy.

So does our Heavenly Father.  Whenever we resist Him, we cheat ourselves, just as Elisabeth's little brother did.  Whenever we yield, we find joy.

"Dwell in My love.  If you heed my commands, you will dwell in My love, as I have heeded My Father's commands and dwell in His love.  I have spoken thus to you, so that My joy my be in you, and your joy complete."  John 15:9-11  

(Elisabeth and her husband Jim, were missionaries to the Auca Indians.  The Indians killed him. She went back and ministered to the tribe members who killed him.)