On the ranch I grew up on in Northern California, we had a grazing lease on some government land in the mountains. Once the calves were worked and branded in the spring, we would drive the herd about 30 miles up to higher elevations where the grass would stay green through the summer. My dad and I would spend 2-3 days a week checking cows on horseback making sure there weren’t any problems. We would see bear, mountain lions, and an occasional rattle snake, but for the most part, the cows were very content up there for the summer. When the grass started drying up towards the end of the summer, the cows would make their way home. We still had to gather up a few stragglers, but it always amazed me that most of them found their own way home. Just like my family wanted the cows to instinctively wander home to a place where they would be safe and fed, Jesus wants us to have the child-like faith it takes to follow Him. He wants us to move in the right direction, without over-analyzing, over-thinking, and being distracted with other things. Following Jesus should be simple, but we tend to complicate it. Matthew 18:1-5 teaches us 1“At
that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” Jesus is scolding the disciples to stop arguing about petty things and keep it simple, or child-like. They should be focused on the big picture instead of bickering about who was most important. Children are trusting and simple by nature. That is the kind of faith Jesus wants us to have as believers. Just like the cattle would head for home on their own free will when the grass turns brown, we should learn to follow Jesus and just keep moving toward Him without questioning or doubting. The rest will work itself out. ■
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INSTEAD OF RUNNING AWAY FROM GOD, RUN TO HIM.
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