As I spent time with my dad this past Father's Day, my mind was filled with memories of him from over the years. One particular memory was when I was around 4 years old. My dad was a farmer and was preparing to put pesticides on the crops. As I stood by his side he said to me, "Tonya, do not touch this because it is poison." So, what do you think I did?...Yep, you guessed it! I dug right into it with my hands. My dad had turned his back just long enough for my curiosity to get the best of me and I gave into the temptation of doing the opposite of what daddy told me not to do. When he noticed that I had disobeyed, he done as any father would and frantically yelled at me to get my attention. By this time he was headed straight toward me and I knew just what was about to happen to me. I took off running up the driveway and then onto the dirtroad with dad chasing behind. When he finally caught me...well, you guessed it, I got a good old fashion spanking. My dad was disappointed in me for disobeying him but he was more fearful of the harm that the pesticides could have caused me. That day serves as the only time I can remember my dad spanking me. From then on, all my dad ever had to say to me was my name (you know you are in serious trouble when your parent calls you by your first and last name). Let me confess to you that even though this was the only time my earthly father spanked me...my Heavenly Father has had to discipline me SEVERAL times.
Often times God is warning us of things that may bring harm to us in our lives. And regretfully, we let our curiosity or fleshly desires take over and we give into temptation. Even then does God continue to call out to us.."My child, you know this is wrong...Please turn away from your sin...Trust that what I am saying to you is for your own good...trust Me in your struggles!" But yet we still continue to run as fast as we can away from our heavenly Father just as I did with my dad. Why do we run? We run because we are trying to escape the guilt and conviction that is deep within us. We think if we run far enough away, we can escape the pain of disappointment or the discipline that may come to us for our wrong doing. Stop running away from God but run toward Him! Be showered with his love, receive his correction and turn from your sin.
Hebrews 12: 5-6 "And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
Be encouraged in your time of discipline from the Lord by knowing that He loves you!
The Lord may give us much correction; It is all out of love because He wants the best for our life's direction!
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