FAMILY IT! — Wednesday Family Devotional — “Armfuls of Nothing”

Supplies: Bible

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When our first born was about four, she had a same-age peer over to play.  For many months before, most of her playmates had been much older or younger than she was, so at first, she was excited to play at our house with another four-year old.  Yay!  But then something happened: this other little girl began to pick up and play with our daughter’s toys.  Now, you and I know that this is exactly what’s supposed to happen on a play date, but as far as our daughter was concerned, this was a near tragedy.  You could see the panic set in on her face.  While her friend was occupied with a newly acquired plaything, our daughter wandered around the room picking up her most treasured items.  Soon, she had an armload of toys that she refused to put down.  Of course, she still wanted to play with her friend, so she just carried around this monstrous bundle while they tried to play house, and chase, and every other four-year old game.  It was hysterical watching her try to run or pour tea or dress up with her arms stuffed with her unsharable collection!

As much as we may laugh at that visual image, I think we often find ourselves in a similar situation.  I bet there’s something in your past…or present…that you were unwilling to share with others. Ok, so maybe you didn’t walk around with it vice-gripped in your arms, but in your mind this thing was still held tight as “mine.”  Once you’ve thought about it, go around your family and share.  What was something you were unwilling to share?  Why do you think you felt so attached and protective of that thing?

READ

Read Genesis 42:29-43:15 together as a family.

THINK

Jacob definitely had his arms wrapped tightly around something, only it wasn’t a stuffed animal or even a car.  It was his youngest son, Benjamin.  The loss of Joseph was undoubtedly a tragic experience for Jacob.  His reaction, however, shows us that Jacob lost more than just his favorite child in that ordeal.  He also lost some of his faith in God.  Jacob essentially put Benjamin under house-arrest, protecting him so much that there was no way any harm could come to him.  In doing so, Jacob reveals a lack of trust in the Father to care for Jacob and his family.  Jacob feels that he alone can control and protect his boy satisfactorily. Even when Simeon is detained, the patriarch still can’t allow his youngest to travel to Egypt as requested.  After all, something might happen—God can’t be trusted to provide or protect any more.  In fact, the entire clan has to reach the point of starvation before Jacob finally releases his grip on Ben.

Often times our vice grip on things has that same source point.  We don’t trust God.  Something has happened in our past that leads us to think God is unreliable.  It may be a loss, a natural disaster, or even an outside observation of the chaos of life.  But whatever it is, we’ve decided somewhere inside that the only way to guarantee something survives or prevails is to be in solitary control.  But that’s counter to our walk with Jesus.  If we want to know the true peace and freedom of a relationship with the Savior, we have to be willing to turn everything—every. thing.—over to His control.

APPLY

Is there something you’re holding onto that’s a little more personal than a toy?  It may be a relationship, or a dream.  Perhaps it’s a past hurt, or maybe an actual fear.  You’ve got it locked tight away in your heart and you aren’t willing to share it with anyone, not even God, because if you do, you run the risk of that chaotic life getting in the way.  You and only you can be counted on to take care of this thing properly.

If that’s where you’re at today, would you ask your family to pray with you as you leave it at the feet of the Master?  As long as you’re holding on to that one thing, you can never fully experience the life—the fun, joyful, peace-filled life that God has purposed for you.  By handing it over, you can finally know what true freedom feels like!

PRAY

Loving Lord, thank you for releasing us from our burdens.  Through the gift of Jesus, we no longer have to be weighted down by bondage to anything.  How amazing!  Yet there are times when we strap ourselves to things because we think it’s necessary.  Forgive us, Lord, for being so prideful, for thinking that our way is the only and best way.  Forgive our doubt and lack of faith in your love and desire to provide for us.  Help us today, Heavenly Father, to finally let go of the things we’re grasping at so that we can finally live in your peace.  In Your Holy Name we pray, Amen.

REPLY

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