"They Needed a Push"

Funny how when we are kids and learning to swing we don’t mind asking a family member or friend, people we trust, to “give me a push”. And eventually as we trust in them and our experiences with them, growing bold enough to say “push me higher!” 

Funny how Jesus said in Mark chapter 10 “that whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Funny how we “grow up” and allow ourselves to become so independent we often live like we don’t need God.

Funny how the disappointments in this life can drive us to God... or away.

Funny how the Lord does things that seem backwards to our grown-up intellectual minds but often make sense to the simple faith of a child.

Funny how Job was able to proclaim that "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him” (Job 13:15) 

Funny how the Lord promised that “He disciplines those He loves” in Hebrews chapter 12.

Funny how “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” according to Matthew 4:1. And even stranger how in Luke 22:31-32, Jesus bluntly explains to Peter that “satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 

Funny how often overlooked is this basic truth of Christianity. His wisdom is based on different (higher) presuppositions (read Isa. 55:8,9). Once we understand and accept his presuppositions, His wisdom makes perfect sense.

Funny how some have chosen to have the childlike faith like Jesus described and were able to live and record some of their insights for us to look into and learn greatly from...

“It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” - A.W. Tozer

“If through a broken heart God can bring His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart.”... “At times God puts us through the discipline of darkness to teach us to heed Him. Song birds are taught to sing in the dark, and we are put into the shadow of God’s hand until we learn to hear Him.”   

- Oswald Chambers

“It is always upon human weakness . . . not on human strength and confidence, that God chooses to build his kingdom; and he can (do this) not merely in spite of our ordinariness and helplessness and  . . . infirmities, but precisely because of them. - James Stewart

“Never forget what Jesus did for you. Never take lightly what it cost Him. And never assume that if it cost Him His very life, that it won't also cost you yours.” 

― Rich Mullins

Funny how a modern day Superhero movie can have a glimpse of truth about Christianity revealed in it :

“There was an idea to bring together a group of remarkable people, so when we needed them, they could fight the battles that we never could”. Fury tells The Avengers that a set of Captain America trading cards were on Agent Coulson’s body (and accordingly bloodied when he sacrificed himself earlier in the film) in order to motivate them. He throws them on a table in front of all of them especially in close proximity to Captain America;... When asked about the cards by another agent later he replies, “they needed a Push” - Nick Fury in THE AVENGERS

Funny how the Lord of all creation cares more about getting you where He wants you to go with your life than even you do.

So, what cards has He thrown on the table in the engineering of your circumstances lately? 

More likely than not you “needed a push”. Choose to trust and obey Him as He guides you. And eventually you’ll grow bold enough to say “push me higher!”