resting in the Father's strength

Last night was my night to watch the kids at our home group. Most of the older kids were pretty well taken care of, but my daughter Abby was getting a bit fussy. I took her into the back room and rocked her to sleep. She totally crashed against my chest and I sat there for about an hour just holding her while she rested. As I held her and thought and prayed, I realized that this was a perfect picture of my relationship with God.

My relationship with God is not based on my effort or striving. It's not based on my performance of good things and my avoidance of bad things. It's based completely on my resting in the strong arms of God and what he's done for me through the gospel. Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3-4).

May we constantly rest in the goodness and strength of our mighty God who has rescued and adopted us into his family.