Martha Olawale

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Although the love of God runs deeper than the love of any mother, we are like newborns in the hands of God. He is tenderhearted towards humanity and no matter how far we walk away from Him, He keeps coming after us. God is a steadfast refuge and a sure shield from the scorching elements of life. He doesn’t break His hold on you just because you miss your mark and whichever way the tide leads you, He is there to uphold you.

As extensions of the character of God, we understand the tip of the depth of His love through the way we respond to the needs of a newborn child. Though precious, they are fragile and totally dependent on adults to take care of them. Their beauty and cuteness overshadow the mess that comes with taking care of them. In the same way, God’s love covers us, despite all the messes and imperfections that come from navigating life, we are precious in His sight.

While we’ll still feel discomfort as we walk through life, it’s not indicative of God’s absence because He never leaves. He holds us through all the ups and downs of life and rides on every train we hop on. He is committed to lifting us from all falls and responding to our cries for help. When a child lifts his/her hands to the mother, it’s a symbol of surrender— “I need you!” Also, when we accept God’s love and surrender our will to Him, He trades our fear for faith and our weakness for His strength. No matter the corners life pushes us to, we are always safe in God’s hands.

There is no better place to be than in God’s hands and I’d rather fall in His hands than stand on the pedestal of man; live in the circle of God’s grace than the million-ton fortress of man’s making. I’ll joyfully rely on God’s daily bread than the bounty of a man’s silo. I’ll submit as a servant in the court of Christ than be the master of my own castle. I’ll remain a child of God than an heir to all earthly thrones, and I’d rather be chastised by God than praised by man.