TUG-O-WAR

**Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.  1 Peter 5:7

“Red Rover, Red Rover, let ____ come over!!”

“London bridge is falling down…falling down…” 

“Freeze!!!”

“Eight, nine, ten…ready or not, here I come!”

“You’re it!!”

Reminiscing about these old childhood games brings back fond memories.  We played them at church, we played them at school, and we played them at camp.   These games were part of most of my generation’s childhood.  We never tired of picking teams, challenging the opponents, and cheering each other on.  Almost always, we had a snack and Kool-Aid waiting to cool us off.

While working on devos this morning, Chewy put her rope on the foot of my chair.  We play fetch in the mornings, so this was not unusual.   Normally she brings a ball Brandon gave her, but her toy of choice today was her nasty, smelly rope.  As soon as I reached for it, she grabbed it back.  I knew that she wanted to play tug-o-war, but I refused.  She is strong, her jaws are like steel, and it takes too much effort on my part to get it away from her.  So, I let her have it and leaned back.  Eventually, she laid it down and scooted back, and I was able to take possession of the prized toy and continue our game.

This reminded me of myself and how I treat God sometimes.  I have a mental toy box overflowing with situations I need to turn over to Him, things that are out of my control or I just refuse to deal with.  They include worry, anxiety, guilt, hurt, bitterness, anger, resentment, control, self-reliance, judgment, and many other not-so-pretty thoughts.  Without thinking, I go to that toy box to dig through it and find something to chew on.  When my teeth hurt and I cannot chew anymore, I decide to give it to God.  I tell him I want Him to take it, but when God reaches for it, I change my mind and yank it back.  If He wants it, He will have to wrestle it from my stingy little hands.  God is a gentleman and will not do that.  He gives us free will and allows us to make choices on our own. 

Just as Chewy would have a hard time playing fetch with herself and must release the rope to my care to continue, I get to a mental place with too many issues to handle on my own.  Either I lay it down at His feet and walk away, or I go crazy.  Those are my two options.   Sometimes I give it to Him, sometimes I am stubborn and make myself a little crazy…

When Chewy brings her rope, I usually try to find another toy she will fetch.  That rope is dirty and nasty and makes my hands stink.   I don’t mind playing fetch with other toys.  We both enjoy the game when she has balls or rings.  More often than not, she gets bulldog brain and will not be distracted by anything else if she has already brought me the rope.

Again, this is a picture of me and God.  I focus on an issue or situation, and when God asks me to release it to His possession so He can give me something better, I refuse His gift and continue to obsess over that stinky, smelly problem. 

While remembering this childhood game, something occurred to me.  In a true game of tug-o-war, one team either gets dragged into the mud or knocked on their butts, all because they will not let go of the rope.  They continue to pull with all their might and refuse to relinquish control, no matter what. 

When I release my difficulties to God, He picks them up EVERY SINGLE TIME.  No matter how they wreak or how slobbery and nasty they are, He is not offended by the smell or ugliness.   He is only concerned with His children and wants to remove that rottenness in our hearts. 

I refuse to play tug-o-war with Chewy out of self-defense more than anything, but it isn’t that way with God.  He hurts when we hurt.  He doesn’t like seeing us so weighed down by the world that we cannot look up and see His face. 

We were created to bring Him glory.  That’s it.   That is our most important job on this planet.  If we get bulldog-brain and only focus on the rope right in front of us, we miss out.   We get so bogged down with trying to keep all our toys together and in our possession, that we cannot or will not release them into His capable and loving hands so we can truly live. 

I am working on releasing my proverbial toys to

God.  but sometimes I just feel like I need to hold a particular toy and I don’t want to share.  It is mine, and mine alone.   

Yesterday I actually told Benny, “I’m sorry, babe.  I think I’m going a little crazy, and I cannot stop it.”  Why?  Because I had been up all night obsessing about something I have no control over.  I want a plan B, C, D, E, and possibly F before I feel like I can relax and let it go.  But more times than I want to admit, I am making those plans to go my way, not God’s.  He is not on my backup plan list when he should rightfully be at the top, before Plan A. 

I am tired and I don’t want to play tug-o-war anymore.  I want to willing lay those burdens at Jesus’ feet and be done with them.  I will have to take each “toy” (or situation) out and examine it, then intentionally hand it over.  I will continue to pray for the strength to do it.

LORD, thank You for always being on stand-by with Your Plan ready and Your hand out.  Thank You for not being offended by or grossed out by my nasty, smelly issues.  You never hand something back and say, “NOPE!!”  You willingly take what I offer and remove it from me.  When I am weighed down like I am now and my attitude is off, I think of myself and my own plans, not You and Yours.  Give me the endurance and motivation to continue releasing the worries and issues that choke the life out of me.  Give me strength and discipline to combat my selfishness and anxiety with Your words and Your power.  I don’t want to get drug through the mud or knocked on my butt anymore, LORD.   In Your Precious and Holy Name, Amen.

 **Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength.”   Psalm 89.13 NLT

**We do not know what to do, but we look to You.  2 Chronicles 20:12

THE GOSPEL REST