by Natalie Wynd
There are many small things that bring us great joy and pleasure. Taking a walk amongst God’s beautiful creation, listening to a waterfall, drinking a cup of hot coffee uninterrupted, and swinging on a swing. All these things allow us to relax, let go (figuratively not literally) and just be. For most of these activities there are moments of required concentration, but for the most part, once you are going, you can continue with little effort, such as a swing.
My kids and I love having a swing, being able to lean back and feel the wind swishing past your face, looking at the sky. A swing provides excitement, anticipation and a feeling of accomplishment, such as when you are big enough to use the big kid swing, or when you execute the leg push and pull in the correct order to propel yourself. The Swing however can also teach us about Jesus and how He supports, directs and protects us as we journey through life.
The Swing: Jesus always has us in His hands, He will support us, but not so much that we forget we need to balance ourselves. God gives us free will and the choices we make reflect this. We should always remember to balance ourselves on the Word of God.
1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He care for you.
The Push: He will push us/call us/place us in situations where we may feel out of our comfort zone (like when you are swinging so high that the swing chains slacken and the swing bounces). God guarantees that He will neve leave us or forsake us. God is there to grab our feet and pull us in when we start to feel overwhelmed.
Isaiah 41:13 For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
The Softfall: Softfall is a big deal in the playground world, all God wants us to remember is that He will catch us. If we fall, God will act as our Softfall, we can fall without getting concussion. If we pay attention to Him however and meditate on His word He will redirect us before we fall or hit the pole.
John 15:9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My Love
The Swinger: This is us, if we trust the pusher, and the swing set (God, and the Word of God on which we base our decisions) then we can giggle and laugh our way through the swing, knowing that we will get through whatever the pusher sends our way and trusting that if we do veer off the path He will be there to pull us back in line, back onto the path.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come to me and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me.
The thing to remember is that God has us in His hands, in the fun times, the scary, sad or uncertain times. Just as a child swings with absolute trust that their parent will protect them, so must we swing through life with the same childlike trust.
Natalie is a Pastors wife from Dalby, mum to five aged between 18 and 5. She has a passion for nutrition education. She loves Jesus, craft, sewing and coffee with friends.
Click here to join the Qld Baptist Women in Leadership Facebook Page. Don’t forget to answer the questions to get in the door.
Click here to follow our QBW/Anew Conference Facebook Page.
Click here to follow us on Instagram.
Don’t forget to follow our Blog!
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel