SOS and seeking God

It originated in 1910. Used in Morse code, it didn't stand for anything. Its pattern was not like any other so it would not, nor could not, be mistaken for anything else. Later, it was given the acronym of "save our souls" and then later used with ships for "save our ship."

I think the "save our souls" is one we feel more often than not. There are so many things in our lives that we need to lay aside. For some, it may be a weight, something you're clinging to so strongly it's manifesting a physical weight. A wrong that happened against you that you're carrying on your chest. A regret that you're holding on your shoulders.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” So are you heavy laden? Go to him. He will remove that weight you carry and you will find rest in him.

God is our father and, like a father, he wants what's best for us. He is asking us to look to him. He has a call for each of us. There is a path set before each of us. Sometimes that path runs straight, sometimes it goes in a zigzag. In Psalms 23 it says “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.”

Did you know in certain areas where shepherds like David ended his flock, it wouldn't have been around big green pastures? It was rocky and dry. So the sheep had to stay close to the shepherds and wait for them to take them to the green pasture. Which amazingly was where rocks would be. These rocks would collect dew or the scarce rain there was. That dew would grow patches of grass right beneath it. So the shepherds would lead the sheep rock by rock. Providing what it needed.

We may be in a big pasture or in a rocky one. Here is why a big green pasture isn't always in our best interest. Give a kid two choices of candy and they make a decision with sound judgment. Give a kid access to an entire candy store but say "only take what you need," what happens? You may get yourself in trouble. You may be more tempted to sin.

But, when we seek God and wait and listen for his voice, we will learn how to follow him. When he gets us to our next pasture and we are provided for, we more and more get to trust in him. And, in turn, our faith builds and when the next path has a bend in it, we have faith and see him in it more clearly. We become bolder in the face of the shadows of death. We are restored and renewed. You'll see his comfort.

So are you calling out SOS? I encourage you to listen to His voice and trust in Him. He will lead you to the next pasture.

Blessings.

Pastor Lydia Rasor ministers at New Fire Ministries.