The boys loved climbing Brimham rocks (my two sons). often quite busy, these rocks in natural sandstone tower over the landscape, with many natural footholds. Does mean as a dad I get quite scared when they’re up there, particularly the little one! At 7 years old he has a right stubborn streak, and if you try to tell him anything he will do quite the opposite. He’s learning though.
Anyway, as we all know, its easy to go up rocks, its coming down that’s hardest. “but dad” he said “I want to come down facing away from the rocks, then I can see where I am going.” He couldn’t grasp the idea that facing into the rocks was safer, even though you couldn’t see where to put your feet.
I suggested that he face in, and I guided his feet, unseen, into the footholds.
An odd thought, that it is safer to climb down being unable to see where you are going.
I realised this morning that that’s like what God does. We often can get ourselves into trouble – predicaments we can’t work out how to get out of. We often want to get ourselves out of those problems by ourselves, and know where to put our feet. But that’s quite dangerous. God wants us to turn around, and trust him for each step, but stay safe. Safety is letting God show us where to take the next step.
