A Close Call

While I was cooking over the hot stove top, my son Kyzer came over and stood right next to me, making his face and hands closer to the heat and hot pot.

As I gently moved his arm and asked him to move over a bit so that he wouldn’t get burned, he got a bit upset.

In my mind, I wanted to know what is it that I said or done to make him upset about me wanting to protect him?

In that same moment, I understood what he couldn’t understand.

I understood that the hot stove was not meant for him to touch.

I understood that even close proximity with the stove could cost him trouble and pain.

I understood that if he had made contact with it, or anything on it (pots and pans), he would be in severe pain and agony.

And he?

He didn’t understand my protection.

He didn’t understand why I moved him away from what could harm him, yet at the same time draw him closer to me.

In the same way, God understands that hell is not meant for us to go or even be near.

When we are in close proximity with sin, it will cost us trouble and pain.

So he instructs us and pulls us away from what would bring about harm, pain, or even death.

When we don’t understand, God understands that if and when we are in close proximity with temptation and sin, then will come severe pain and agony.

So to avoid this and more, with love and gentleness, He draws us away from sin and closer to Himself.

This is a call to draw close to Him as He draws close to us.

Relationship calls for closeness.

Because near Him, there is safety and protection.

The closer we are to sin and hell, the further we are from the Father.

But, the closer we are to the Father, the further we will be from sin and hell.

We can trust that when He moves us from an environment, thing, or people, it is not meant to upset or harm us, but instead, it is for our good and for His glory.

"Those who are far from you will perish;
    you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
    I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
    I will tell of all your deeds."
Psalm 73:27-28 NIV