Maneuvers - No. 92
My Child,
My Brave One
Constant stress is simply a part of life. Or is that just what our culture tells us?
Around 77% of American adults are stressed to the point that it affects their physical health. And 73% say their stress impacts their mental health.
But is that truly how things are supposed to be? Is this what we were made to experience?
When we (Jennifer and Justin) feel overwhelmed by the busyness and difficulties of life, we find comfort in the way David found peace and delight in God. After all, as a young man, he surely experienced stress as King Saul tried to kill him—even chasing him across the desert in pursuit. And as king of Israel, David regularly fought difficult battles, made hard choices, and faced impossible situations.
And yet he wrote: “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits … who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:2, 5, NIV).
We love how the Message phrases this passage, too:
“O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing! … He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence.”
Always young in his presence. Do you want more of that freedom and joy in your relationship with Jesus, friend? We certainly do.
So today, let’s allow Holy Spirit to call us deeper. Let’s lay aside the stress of this busy week and listen…
01.
The Message
“Do you remember your favorite game as a child? Really? Do you remember it? I do. Ask me what it was. Ask me for the details about it. Ask me where I was when you loved to play.
“And what is it you love to do now? I know, but I want you to consider your answer. What do you do just because it is fun? What do you do because it makes you smile, your heart full and light? Oh, what kindness I want to show you there! How I want to bring to you Life that you’ve forgotten, remind you of the things you’ve always loved but struggle with now due to worry, responsibilities, and stress.
“With me, you are always my child. And as an adult, you can still be that child—for you can be both light-hearted and serious. You can be both hard-working and worry-free. I have made you for both things—to be my child and fully grown. Maturation comes from growing older, but it also comes from surrendering what is not yours to hold.
“What can you let go of now, a responsibility you carry alone but can share with me? For when you entrust to me what you are holding, my power in you is greater. This is because you realize who you are through being a child, my child, with me.
“So run, my brave one, and don’t look back. Jump and play like I’ve made you to play. You are dearly loved, and I energize your childlikeness as an adult—the child who abandons fear not because they know all the answers but because they know I do. A child who trusts in their father’s wisdom. A child who stays curious, both open-minded and open-hearted. A child whose joy is my joy. You are that child. Always my child and worthy of love, my delight.”
02.
Listen
What images came to your mind as you read this week’s message? Let’s describe at least one of those images in our journal and write out a response to the Lord.
03.
Think
“What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to” (1 John 3:1, MSG).
1. When was the last time you felt truly free? When was the last time you felt childlike joy? Write down what that experience was like for you.
2. What stops you from experiencing that childlike joy more often? (Is it routines, misbeliefs, fear?)
3. Read the verse above again. What is God showing you about what it means for you to be his child, the one he loves?
04.
Trust
“Play.” It sounds like such a childish word, doesn’t it? It’s easy to think that play is just something for kids… something we used to do… certainly not something we do now as responsible adults.
But let’s look at what the word “play” really means:
“To engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.”
Play doesn’t always mean hide-and-seek or sand castles or freeze tag. (Although, why not engage in those things? Are we truly “too old” for them?) Instead, it simply means enjoying the moment. It involves pulling down the defenses we’ve built for ourselves and the masks we’ve put on to feel strong or trustworthy or responsible.
Maybe it’s been a while since we’ve allowed ourselves to let go and enjoy life with childlike freedom. So why not practice today?
Let’s do something—it can be big or small—that helps us let go and embrace childlike wonder. Is it reading a fascinating novel? Surfing at the beach? Drawing? Playing a board game with friends?
It may look different for each of us, and that’s okay. Whatever we choose to do, let’s invite Jesus to do it with us. Let’s ask him, “Lord, will you show me how close you are as I enjoy this moment? Show me how you see me—as your child—as I let down my defenses and delight in what you’ve created.”
After that activity, let’s ask ourselves:
• How did that feel? What emotions can I identify?
• What was my favorite moment?
• What did God show me about his heart and his love through this activity?
05.
Pray
Father, thank you for making me your child. I confess where I’ve leaned on coping mechanisms to deal with the stress of life. I don’t want to lose sight of what’s truly important. Fill me with childlike wonder again. Let me see you and the world around me with new eyes.
Will you show me how to experience you in every area of my life, even the hard moments? Help me be curious and open minded and open hearted—and to simply enjoy you.
I love you, Lord. You’re my joy. I love who you are.
Amen.
Waving the banner with you,
