280 – Warm Comforting Arms

#faithbites #faithjourney Arms

Close your eyes. Think of a time you felt safe, warm, and comforted. It may have been when you were a kid in one of your parents or grandparents arms. Maybe it was as an adult in the arms of a lover. Perhaps when your kids or friends wrap their arms around you. The peace you feel through that simple touch. Your trust in that person makes you feel safe. Nothing can hurt you at that moment. To be like a child: safe, secure, and protected. That is what we are searching for. The truth is you don’t have to search far.

During today’s sermon, our pastor talked about having childlike faith with the main message of “a trust so complete”. A key in his outline was “a child doesn’t need all the answers. A gentle touch or a loving look will give complete security.”

I can’t tell you how many times I have help someone who is frantic, upset, crying, screaming and yelling. My words may not help, but wrapping my strong arms around their trembling body calms them. For an instant, they feel secure and safe. There is power in a warm embrace.

When you think you aren’t worthy, when life is too hard, when no one wants to hug you, there is always one person: Jesus. He will engulf you with his arms and love. You don’t have to do anything but ask.

Scripture

• And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. – Luke 15:20
• And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” – John 12:32
• People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. – Mark 19:!3-16

Reflection

Our verses today share the warm embrace of the Lord. The first verse is a story where a son lost everything and thought his father wouldn’t take him back. He loved him, embraced him, and kissed him. He was never alone. We also see Jesus countless times, especially in the Little Children Verses, that he wants us to come to him. He doesn’t care who you are but wants to love you. Jesus tells us to receive the kingdom of God like a child.

As we become adults, it is harder for us to just give in. To allow Jesus to help us rather than saying I can do it myself. Our life experiences and moral defensiveness get in our way. We try to explain his love and faith. Faith isn’t something that can be explained. Eternal nonjudgemental love is something that we can’t explain. We need to get out of our own way.

At the end of the service, I was standing and singing. In front of me was a little girl, maybe two or so. I had made eyes at her before this service and we were ‘singing’ together. During the last song, I reached over the pew, picked her up, and we dance and sang together. Her grandmother, who knows, I was shocked. Not that I picked her up, but that she came to me. She doesn’t go to most people. At that moment though, she felt secure in my arms, and I felt the love and warmth of wrapping someone in my love. I wonder if that is how Jesus feels when he wraps all of us in his warm embrace.

Charge

Think about the last time you felt happy, comforted, and secure. Think about how that made you feel. Imagine if you could have that all the time. Pray. Close your eyes and imagine Jesus in front of you. His arms wide, hugging you, telling you everything will be ok, and blessing you. Then share that feeling in all you do.

Lord, help me to not get in my own way. Help me to feel your loving arms around me telling me it will be ok. Allow me to know you are my father and will never let anything bad happen to me. You will protect me through all things