In John 8:31-32, we read: “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’”
“I don’t believe you.” Jake’s face twisted as if he smelled something rotten.
“It’s the truth.” Timmy crossed his arms. “The water’s swift after the rains. The canoe might turn over.”
Jake stuck his hands under his armpits, flapped them. “Squawk, Squawk.”
“I’m not scared.”
“Prove it.”
An hour later, Timmy shoved off. “You steer with your paddle until we get out in the current...” But Jake dropped his paddle, grabbed the gunnels.
“I’m out of here.” Eyes wide, Jake jumped into the water. The canoe tipped, but didn’t swamp. Almost to the bank, Jake yelled. “Help. My foot’s caught.” Timmy steered the canoe back to the landing.
“Going for help, Jake. Be right back.” Timmy found Grandfather, explained what’d happened.
“Okay, Jake, I need you to stop thrashing. Let the water help you. Know you’re cold. We’re gonna get you out.” Grandfather’s voice soothed Jake, calmed him. “Hang on to this rope.” Grandfather clipped and cut the web of roots, pulled Jake free. He fell into Grandfather’s arms.
“Th-ank y-you,” Jake said, his teeth chattering. “This blanket feels good.” Grandfather patted his back. “I’m sorry.”
“Glad you weren’t hurt, Jake. Why’d you do this?”
“I wanted to prove I wasn’t scared.”
“It’s okay to be scared. It’s what we do with our fear that counts. Fear can cause us to ask for help. If we call out to the Lord Jesus, He comes, shows us the truth, sets us free.”
“He’ll do that for me?” Grandfather nodded. “All I have to do is ask Him?” Another nod. “Will you help me?” Grandfather smiled, put his arm around Jake, bowed his head.
Kingdom Thinking. How will I know the truth? I find it easy to be deceived. But the Lord Jesus who is truth has promised never to leave nor forsake me. He loves me with an everlasting love. He offers the same to you. Do you need to be rescued? He waits for you.
“I don’t believe you.” Jake’s face twisted as if he smelled something rotten.
“It’s the truth.” Timmy crossed his arms. “The water’s swift after the rains. The canoe might turn over.”
Jake stuck his hands under his armpits, flapped them. “Squawk, Squawk.”
“I’m not scared.”
“Prove it.”An hour later, Timmy shoved off. “You steer with your paddle until we get out in the current...” But Jake dropped his paddle, grabbed the gunnels.
“I’m out of here.” Eyes wide, Jake jumped into the water. The canoe tipped, but didn’t swamp. Almost to the bank, Jake yelled. “Help. My foot’s caught.” Timmy steered the canoe back to the landing.
“Going for help, Jake. Be right back.” Timmy found Grandfather, explained what’d happened.
“Okay, Jake, I need you to stop thrashing. Let the water help you. Know you’re cold. We’re gonna get you out.” Grandfather’s voice soothed Jake, calmed him. “Hang on to this rope.” Grandfather clipped and cut the web of roots, pulled Jake free. He fell into Grandfather’s arms.
“Th-ank y-you,” Jake said, his teeth chattering. “This blanket feels good.” Grandfather patted his back. “I’m sorry.”
“Glad you weren’t hurt, Jake. Why’d you do this?”
“I wanted to prove I wasn’t scared.”
“It’s okay to be scared. It’s what we do with our fear that counts. Fear can cause us to ask for help. If we call out to the Lord Jesus, He comes, shows us the truth, sets us free.”
“He’ll do that for me?” Grandfather nodded. “All I have to do is ask Him?” Another nod. “Will you help me?” Grandfather smiled, put his arm around Jake, bowed his head.
Kingdom Thinking. How will I know the truth? I find it easy to be deceived. But the Lord Jesus who is truth has promised never to leave nor forsake me. He loves me with an everlasting love. He offers the same to you. Do you need to be rescued? He waits for you.
