My wife, Heather, has owned her own custom sewing business for over 25 years now. Watching her hand direct the fabric while the small foot and needle pinpricks their way through the weaves in a preset designed way has never ceased to amaze me. Observing the machine pull the fabric from the front to the back caused me to think about the fact that God often guides us in much the same way - with a hand and, if necessary, a foot.
The Bible is full of examples where the the hand of the Lord was upon his people guiding them as he led them through "dangers, toils and snares." Some of our old Hymns even accentuate the power of God's hand. One of them echoes the words:
Hold to God's unchanging hand.
Hold to God's unchanging hand.
Build your hopes on things eternal.
Hold to God's unchanging hand.
Another rings out:
Jesus hold my hand, I need thee every hour.
Through this pilgram land, protect me by thy saving power...
Now I know God longs to lead us by His hand, but just like my wife's sewing machine, it seems like sometimes His gentle hand is not enough. Sometimes it seems like instead of leading us by His hand, God needs to give a little "swift kick" with His foot. I don't mean to bring God down to our level, but it just seems like sometimes human nature demands that He take this approach.
I know, I know, you may be saying, God is a gentleman and he will never force anyone to do something they do not want to do. That is true. However, what I have found in my experience, is that He will first try leading with His hand and if that doesn't work, what seems like His foot will assist in at least getting our attention.
I heard a man say one time, "I had a dog that I loved dear, once bit the hand that fed him. And out of love my hand gave place, and then my foot, it led him." I am convinced that our Savior would always rather lead than push, but I am thankful He loves us enough to pull, and even prod, when leading is not working.
"...and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him." (Matt 9:9 KJV)
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