It’s a right of passage to play “Tug-of-war” as a kid: in gym, at camp, in the neighbors backyard. As fun as this childhood game was… It always gave me an unsettling feeling. Two groups of people trying to overpower each other that resulted in victory over others either being drug across a line or falling flat on their face.
I think part of the reason the concept of Tug of War bothered me was because I always felt that in myself. Constantly struggling over power, strength, and victory to make decisions which would direct my future and happiness: what friends to have, what college to attend, what career path to take, what decisions to make as a parent. For a long time, I always felt like there was part of me that lost if I let go of the “rope” I so desperately clung to. It’s the fear of relinquishing control of your desires and dreams to let God either “drag” you across the line or face plant trying to regain authority over your life.
The last few years I’ve, both, been forced and made the choice to stop holding on so tightly while digging my feet in… Only to be pulled in a direction that I never imagined myself and never prepared for.
I ran across a verse several months ago that gave me reassurance God is NOT pulling against us just to show power or to make us fall with resentment and weakness:
“If guided by the Spirit, your life will not fail by selfish desires and aimless pursuit. The spirit of Christ is at war with the desires of your heart. The enemies are constantly struggling, keeping you from making Christ-centered decisions.” Galatians 5:16-17
Verse 16 states before the struggle is even acknowledged, leaning into Christ will not result in failure.
That verse has given me much hope in GOD’s tugging on my heart. With every internal struggle, we have to remember WHO is on the other side and why He’s desperately pulling us and with such strength. It’s never to harm us, to cause suffering, or to neglect us. God wants to bring us joy and happiness. And He’s more than willing to play tug of war… Not with His children, but with outside sources that are vying for our hearts and our love. He pulls us with force for our safety, our betterment, and His glory. The enemy is not God… But the seeds of the devil on earth: greed, self-comparison, doubt, hatred, sin: all sources that care less if we hit the ground or are drug for miles.
His promise to give us hope and a future is authentic, sovereign, and loving. He’s not fighting against us, but FOR us.
I look at my life: my husband, my son, my job, future endeavors that He’s laying on my heart to pursue. I know these blessings are not mistakes. I also know that I pulled and pulled that rope to snatch my life from Gods hands…. Not knowing this life is what awaited me if I just let go in Tug-of-War with Him.
So how do we stop pulling on the wrong end of the rope??? We ask for courage, for humbleness, and discernment in areas that we feel are such a struggle. We pray diligently for God to show up and show out. We drop the chord and say: “My life is yours; where You lead, I’ll follow.”
I promise He responds with grace as we gladly let go of the other side and stand with God as we pull WITH Him for a life filled with His plans, His love, His faithfulness.
house of stain 