We have a gate that is part of a fenced pasture where the previous owners kept horses. We leave the gate open unless we let our dogs out. Over the last year, we have watched animals enter through the gate to the fenced area. This area represents safety to them. Deer will, for a few moments, let their guards down. Their babies will run and play. A buck will venture out of his tree cover refuge to eat and rest. We have watched fox, ground hogs, ducks, turkeys, snakes and squirrels all enter through the gate to the secure area, shaking the cares of the day for a few minutes.
Correlating that image to our daily lives – it can be easy to stay in the safety we have created. What is routine or known, becomes safe.
What do we do however, when we must venture into the unknown? What if we are facing a challenge like never before? How do we find the courage and strength to move outside the gate?
The answer is in God’s Word. First, knowing His character and His promises are crucial. If we don’t know what we have in Him, or who God is, how will we know we can trust Him?
Heb 13:8 – God is the same yesterday, and today and forever – What a great promise. God never changes. God is constant.
2 Cor 1:20 – For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. All the promises of God are true and trustworthy.
Psalm 118:6 – The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? Heb 13:6 reiterates this same truth. “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me”. Prov 29:25 says: The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe” AND, if God be for us who can be against us?” Rom 8:31.
If we are stepping outside the gate, we can be assured that God is for us, we have strength in Him and no matter what we face, he will never abandon us. Whatever God has called you into, know you are loved, and He will guide you every step of the way. It’s time to “Live like someone left the gate open!”.
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