Holding On to His Hand through Discipleship

The other day I was walking along with Mia, my two year old, and let go of my hand. Within a few seconds she tripped and fell down. I automatically reached down and picked her up…but only after a few more steps, she released my hand to only stumble again.

So…I took her by the hand tightly and told her to hold onto Mommy's hand…and the next time she tripped she did not fall. I told her, “As long as you are holding mommy’s hand I won’t let you fall down.”

And God hit me with this thought, “I’ve been waiting on you to learn that lesson for a long time!”

As I look back at the times in my life at the most painful mistakes that I have made I will have to admit that it was during the times I had wrestled my hand free…you know, doing it “my way.”

I am so thankful for a gracious God who pursued me during those times and didn’t allow me to be content in being apart from Him. He wanted to hold onto my hand.

Each day I am learning more and more about walking as a disciple with God. Becoming a disciple of Christ isn’t about trying to “connect with God,” but rather being submissive to the idea that He wants to connect with us. He desires to hold onto out hand so we don't trip up and fall flat on our faces.

I do believe there are times He allows us to fall on our faces so that we can see our need for Him. Throughout our life He uses these experiences to disciple and shape us into the people He wants.

Just because we are walking consistently with Him everything in life will not always go well. In fact, it might totally stink. But, Psalms 23 reminds us that when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death…not “if.” We will have bad days, but we know God will carry us through.

I believe with all of my heart that the key to living an abundant life, one that is not full of regrets, is reaching out and taking the hand that He extended to us over 2,000 years ago through His Son Jesus Christ and becoming his disciple.

So, how about it? Are you allowing Him to disciple you through life or trying to wrestle away so that you can do it your way?

As long as we hold His hand…we will not fall!!!

Tyra Whitehurst

Media Director