Keys to the Kingdom – Carolyn Tucker
Several years ago I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was fiddling around in the fencerow and made a bumble bee ferociously mad. He stung me; I took off running, and he came after me, stinging me again and again. I didn’t waste time zigging and zagging as I flew past my in-law’s back door and ran around to the front door. I didn’t bother to knock or ring the door bell either. I barged in and slammed the door, leaving the mad bee behind me. My nephew was standing in the kitchen grinning, because he’d witnessed my 100-yard dash. Dakota was really amused by my ability to streak fully clothed past the back window. And I was shocked at how relentless that bumble bee was in stinging me. He obviously hated my guts and didn’t even know me!
The definition of beeline is: (1) a direct route traveled quickly; (2) to go directly and quickly toward someone or something. I like to think about the fact that God is making a beeline toward me when I call on Him. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1a NKJV). Believers have a marvelous privilege in belonging to God. Even though circumstances may sometimes be challenging, we can live with assurance and hope in His faithfulness and unfailing love. God is for us in Christ, and this is the gospel in a nutshell.
Nothing can keep those who belong to Christ from receiving the benefits of God’s love. “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38,39 NKJV). It would be to our spiritual advantage if we would meditate on these verses until we really grabbed ahold of the truth of God’s fervent love for us.
Most parents understand that it’s their responsibility and privilege to supply the needs of their children. Those needs come in the form of love, protection, spiritual training, nurturing, discipline, teaching, etc. Almighty God is above and beyond earthly parents, but He is our heavenly Father and He desires to demonstrate his love and provide for all of our needs. “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NKJV). Jesus has already gone through hell and high water for us, so we shouldn’t be shy in asking for God’s help in whatever capacity we need. Life is like a book with lots of chapters and each one is different. You may need a financial miracle today, but next year you’ll need something else. Just keep in mind that God has an unbeaten track record of doing what others say can’t be done.
When God steps in and really shows off in my life, I feel like the Israelites when they traveled in the wilderness for 40 years. They followed the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. They were never left on their own because the cloud and fire symbolized God‘s presence. God went ahead of them and made a way when there seemed to be no way. All their needs were met — He supplied their food, and their clothes and sandals didn’t even wear out.
Key: God will make a beeline to you if you‘ll ask; just make sure you’ve slammed the door on the devil.