Don’t Dodge the Delivery

Some mornings on this ol’ front porch, life gets about as peculiar as an ol’ squirrel tryin’ to hide a pecan from another lil’ ol’ squirrel who watched him bury it. We humans can be that way with God. He comes knockin’ with grace, mercy, and eternal life, and we start duckin’ behind the curtains like somebody has done showed up collectin’ on a bill from 1973.

There’s an old’story about a man who spent years avoidin’ an attorney because he figured the fellow was plum tryin’ to serve him some dreadful legal papers. Finally, near the end of his life, they crossed paths. The man proudly announced that the lawyer had never managed to catch him.

Then, the attorney explained why he had been searchin’ for him all those years. He had been tryin’ to deliver papers provin’ that the man had inherited a fortune.

Mercy! Imagine spending years skedaddlin’ away from such a blessing.

Hebrews 4:7 warns, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” Sometimes God is callin’ while we are busy dodgin’. Pride says, “Not today.” Fear says, “Maybe later.” Stubbornness plants all four feet like an ol’ onery mule facing a mud puddle.

But Scripture reminds us that no heart is beyond God's reach.

Saul certainly looked like a hopeless case. He persecuted Christians and opposed the church so fiercely that when he became a believer, folks could hardly believe it. Yet, Jesus met Saul on the road to Damascus, and the man who once fought the gospel became Paul, one of its greatest proclaimers. You can read about his conversion in Acts 9:1–22.

So, don’t you be givin’ up on prayin’ for somebody who seems plum determined to resist God. Keep right on loving ‘em. Keep right on livin’ your faith where they can sho’-nuff’ see it. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to be ready to give an answer for our hope with gentleness and respect.

Father, soften hearts that have grown hard, including mine. Help me hear Your voice today and respond with faith instead of resistance. Give me patience to pray for those who seem far from You and wisdom to show them Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

So, before you git up and vamoose from this ol’ front porch, remember this, friend. Don’t spend your life outrunnin’ the very One who’s bringin’ you treasure. When God comes knockin’, you’ve gotta open the door. That package just might contain grace worth more than a million dollars and, sho’ nuff’, it lasts a whole lot longer.

With joy,

Gwen