IN OUR FATHER’S SHADOW
May 9, 2018
Prayer: Dear Lord, We want to learn from You. Your shadow is a safe place.
Scripture: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. Matthew 11:29 NAS
In an issue of Colorado Avid Golfer, there was an eye-catching story called, In the Game of the Father. It was the story of Hale and Steve Irwin, famous father and son pro golfers, and the son’s struggle to fight and play his way out from under his father’s shadow to make a name for himself. According to the son, Steve, he felt that the “weight of the Irwin name compounded the pressure of the game.” As if the game of golf is not hard enough, Steve felt the expectations of the press; pros and public were even higher for him because of His Father’s great success in the game.
Steve went on to say that early in his career he was very mechanical with his swing, talking to his father after every game, focusing on what things looked like and how to do this and that. Steve says that the one thing he did not learn quickly enough was “that I needed to use my God-given abilities.”
Now if you are wondering what this has to do with anything, stay with me. Remember that God speaks to me in simple and sometimes strange ways.
I started thinking about Steve’s “ah ha” moment about using his God-given abilities and how so many times when I am counseling with Christians, I hear them compare themselves to other Christians such as their Pastor, teacher, Minister on television, or even a neighbor who seems to have it all together and do everything right. First of all, no one does everything right, but I am sure you get the idea. Can you think of someone at your school, educator or parent that you tend to compare yourself to? Do you see your students trying so hard to be like someone else that they seem fake or frazzled all of the time? Have you ever tried to be more like so and so, only to end up more discontent with yourself?
Steve stepped back from his pro status and returned to amateur status and often caddies for his father. Their time together has strengthened their relationship and the way Steve views himself as a man as well as a golfer. Yet another “ah ha” moment for me! In our relationship with God we must view the “shadow of our Father” as a place of safety, rest, and relationship; not something to run from or work to get out from under.
In being identified as “God’s child,” the world judges us based on how they think we should behave and believe. We may put pressure on ourselves to be “Super-Christian,” doing, and doing and doing until we are DONE! But God calls us to be with Him. Our weakness only makes more room for His strengths. His “yoke is easy and His burden is light.” As Steve spends more time with his father and focusing on the gift God has given to him he says he is “able to handle the situations golf puts him in.” In spending time with your Heavenly Father and focusing on the gifts He has given to you, you will be able to handle the situations life puts you in.
Copyright Kathy Branzell. Email [email protected]
Yes! Thank you.