A couple of days ago I went outside and saw a contraption my oldest one had built… a lunch box strapped to a plastic shoe box sitting on top of a large, clear, plastic pickle jar. I looked at the set up curiously and saw something odd… the bottom 2 inches of the pickle jar were filled with water and a few small rocks and CLINGING to the side of the jar (just above the water) was a Green Anole my oldest had caught a day or two earlier. I gasped a little and called my son to come release the lizard. I explained to him that was no way for the lizard to live… he needed to be let go to have a full life. Clinging to the side of a jar for fear of dying isn’t a full life.
So, my son let him go. But the thought stayed with me… and grew. If I cared SO much for that little lizard and his need for a full life, how much more does God care for us?? Many times we cling to life fearful of all that could happen, trapped in sin, guilt, fear or worry… but Jesus came to give us life to the FULL!! I’ll tell you, I couldn’t stand the thought of that lizard being trapped like that, living it’s days out in such despair (and I had nothing to do with that lizard other than just passing by it). I can’t imagine how strongly I would feel if it had been one of my children trapped like that! Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— John 1:12
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
That’s something to think about…
photo from here
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Ohhhhh! GREAT post! What a wonderful message….I need to remember that more often. One of my favorite posts recently. Thanks!
Thanks, Shell! ♥ Can’t wait to see you tomorrow! #finally ;)
Very thought provoking ;o)
I was walking my dog this morning…..I haven’t been letting him root around in the bushes too far because I’ve been afraid of him finding a beehive and angering a ton of bees, only to have them swarm around us, stinging us, and we both end up dying. ;o) I have an active imagination!
But then I stopped and remembered that God protects us, God is completely in control. I don’t need to have fear, or live my life in fear with Christ as my Savior! So I stopped those fearful (and dramatic) thoughts, and prayed right then to God, and I gave Him thanks! And my fear dissipated.
What a GREAT story and lesson… love how God continually teaches (us even through interactions with animals)… Praise God! Thanks for sharing this! ♥ Michelle
Wow, Michelle! Great post. Stopped me in my tracks. What am I inging to instead of Him?
LOVE the way you worded that question!!
Wow!! Needed that today, friend!! Thanks!
{HUG} Love ya, friend!! ♥
Oh my, that is such an excellent post!! What great insight! We often stay in the known, even though it’s sin and fear – when we could be in abundance and JOY! :-)
We often stay in the known… that’s so true. Thanks, Judy! ♥ Michelle
“to the full”–Truth. So frustrating when I allow the enemy to steal what is rightfully mine as a child of the Most High. Praise You, Lord.
Oooh, your comment makes me wonder what would happen if we had a “neighborhood watch” looking out for each other when we see the enemy starting to sneak in to steal, kill and destroy us… hmmm… something else to think about. ;)
If the Son sets you free, you are free INDEED! Great insight, Michelle. God can even use lizards to teach us. ;)
Thanks, Jennifer! Funny, now that I read your comment I see that there’s a FREE theme going on here this week… funny how that happens! Love ya! ♥ Michelle
YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!! WOOHOO! Praise Jesus! God wants us to have a FULL life! Love this!!!
Amen! Thanks, Steph!! ♥ Michelle
Great post!!! Your statement, “I can’t imagine how strongly I would feel if it had been one of my children trapped like that!”, goes right to the heart. I thank Jesus for all that he has done and all that he has in store for each of us!
Yes! Thank you, Jesus! (and thank you, Steph!) ♥
God gives us “reminders” everywhere. Thank you for picking up on that one and sharing it!
Thanks, Kate! It’s GREAT to see you here! ♥ Michelle
Great post! Just what I needed to be reminded of this morning. Thank you!