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Listen while you read: "Jesus Saviour Pilot Me"1
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Matthew 11:28-29 – Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. (NIV)
Our fingers can be very useful parts of our body. Winston Churchill, and many others since, displayed two fingers shaped like a "V" to indicate victory. It is common to show our fingers across our chest or forehead as a salute. Sometimes, a finger pointing skyward indicates a commitment to God.
But I think that one of the most interesting ways of communicating is when we curl our index finger in a way that says, "Come to me."
Approximately half a century ago, I reluctantly agreed to coach our church's hockey team. They played in a men's league with half a dozen other teams from our churches in Toronto, Canada. They were enthusiastic, but without a coach, they had gone for a year and half without winning a single game. I don't claim any great hockey skills, but with diligent weekly practices, we won the league championship two years later!
They were enthusiastic players, and there was always a tendency to get involved in altercations. However, I tried to enforce strictly the fact that they would never score a goal when sitting in the penalty box!
Teddy, one of our big, tough players, was very enthusiastic and always seemed to be getting in the middle of everything. I recall one game when a melee looked like it was going to develop into a fighting session. As usual, Teddy quickly skated to the corner of the rink to be in the middle of the fight. However, he glanced across the rink to me as the coach on the bench. I just beckoned "Come to me", and Teddy skated away from the fight to stand beside me. Teddy remembered the strict rule that I tried to enforce!
As you read this, I am sure that you can think of many situations when you have either called or been the called, as indicated by the beckoning finger. It is a common use of our hand.
Interestingly, I was not able to force Teddy to obey my command or request. He had to choose to obey, and in doing so, surprised many on the rink. Indeed, in most situations where we are called, we must voluntarily obey, although, as children, sometimes there were physical consequences if we didn't.
When we are called, as in the words of Jesus in today's verses, God could force us to obey and follow. In His wisdom, however, He has chosen to give us the free will to make the choice. The choice to accept the coach's directions led to victory for Teddy and his fellow hockey players. How much more important it is that we choose to follow God's call in the game of life!
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for showing us the way to follow You by sending Jesus to be our example. Help us always to make the right choice. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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About the author:
Vincent Walter <vwalter@bell.net>
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Thanks for the inspiration, Vince.
Excellent Vincent, good to hear from you again.
Always enjoy your interesting devotions. Thank you!!
Glad to see one of our devotionals again. I’ve missed you.
Thank you, Vincent, a very comforting devotional. Blessings.
Great post with an important message, Vincent! Thanks and God bless!
What a great analogy! I enjoy reading your devotions. Keep up the good work.
Good morning, Vince.
Thank you for another good writing. God bless you.
You always have great devotions. Thanks for your great words.
(Ontario)
So good to read you’re still doing your good work on your readings.
(BC)
Vince, what a great message you’ve penned! I appreciated the example of Teddy. It sure made me think! Thanks.
Good to see your name on the Daily Devotional today!
It’s been a while! Blessings on your day,
(BC)
Thank you, Vincent. It’s always interesting to find out about our writer’s lives — so many good stories! Like Teddy, I hope I make the right choice!
I have never understood why hockey is so conducive to fighting. Not like baseball.
The hymn tells us how to live – guidance by Jesus and His spirit.
It is so good to have you back online again. It seems quite a while since you have posted a devotion. They are always so meaningful.
Thank you.
Thank you for your encouraging and mindful words today, Vince. Yes, following the ways of Jesus will give us the best results in our daily lives and if more people would do that, our world would be so much more peaceful. Blessings for your special writings.
Thank you, Vincent, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. I’m glad you were able to encourage someone else to do the right thing instead of following his knee-jerk reaction. I’ve always admired the hockey player’s skating as sheer poetry in motion, but not so much if fighting breaks out! At that point, I change the TV channel. Blessings.
Vincent, such a great example in your story of Teddy! I can imagine my Lord beckoning me to come away from getting into a verbal argument and not ending up in a “penalty box” of a damaged relationship. That’s part of what I pray for when I pray “deliver me from evil.” Always we must keep our “coach” in our sight to see Him beckon us. Thanks for helping me think about this today.
So happy to read your devotional today. I pray you are doing well. I have 2 grandsons that played rep hockey. One was like the boy wanting to be where the action was, and I always said the same as you “You can’t play hockey in the penalty box“. The other grandson, if he by chance hit someone, would apologize and say sorry. They are both fine young men now raising families of their own.
You are a man of many talents and I always love your devotionals. Blessings always.
I’m not sure if I have responded to your Daily Devotionals in the past but your reference to using your fingers to communicate, reminded me of a life lesson I was given in my youth.
When you point a finger of accusation at someone, take a good look at the three fingers of your hand, pointed back at you.
Thank you for today’s message. I look forward to your future inspiring submissions.
Blessings to you and yours.
Good morning, Vince,
It is interesting to think about what we gestures with our fingers and how important they can be. During the pandemic, we saw more signing done on the TV then I have ever noticed before. They were important messages that they wanted to reach as many people as possible. I thought that was the reason, however, there could be another reason that I am not aware of.
Your message about free will and that God wants us to choose is important. Sometimes I feel it would be easier if God didn’t give us free will and we just obeyed. I know it is important for our growth and faith to be making the choice but sometimes I want the easy way out.
Thank you for sharing your faith and thoughts with others so we can see our choices. Blessings.
Mr. Walter, so great to see your name. Wow you are a fantastic writer!!
Thanks again for sharing your life stories with us!!
Keep well.
Your message was a reminder to an earlier time I was parenting my grandson who was maybe 6 years old at the time. I had attended a class and was properly using the technique by holding up one finger.
Surprisingly I heard my grandson speaking to himself saying “this is really helping me”. The upheld finger caused him to consider what he was doing and enabled him to decide to continue this misbehaviour or not.
The Holy Spirit also gives us the opportunity to choose to walk as He beckons us.
Thank you.
Blessed day, Mr. Walter.
I am grateful for the Devotional titled “Come to me” as shared by you.
Your message reminds me of my Coaching days and the significance of diligent practice of living in the presence of God.
It was a treat to read a message written by a GTA Fellow in Christ.
Thanks be to God for His Gift of life, Free Will, and His Sacrifice to Save us.
Blessed.