The safety of His higher ground

Many of us gathered as a family several years ago for fun and festivities at a local zoo. Excitement rang through the air as we walked to the observation deck above the encampment of the silverback gorilla, watching him mill around below us. Some were amazed at how small he looked from our viewpoint. Others were captivated by how his silver coat glistened in the sunlight. Still, others noticed how unbothered he was by our intrusion into his world. Then, something caught the animal’s attention, and he moved to the viewing glass on the lower deck.
Gathering the children, we hurried toward the new location to get a better glance at the creature that had fascinated us. Four-year-old Rowen, the youngest of the group, pushed through the adults to find a place beside the glass. The new location changed our perspective of the Silverback. Suddenly, what had been small and far away was now very large and up close.
From a distance, the creature appeared harmless; now, separated by only a few feet, the potential danger became evident. His immense head and teeth measured well against the strength seen in his massive arms and hands. The muscles that lined his back and legs showed a power we had not seen from above. What once looked cute and harmless was now immeasurable and frightening.
Rowen, who had been the most excited to view this creature up close, now squatted beside the glass, cupping his tiny hands to block his vision of the animal. The trembling image of my grandson soon caught the eye of his mother, who made her way to his side. Reaching her hand toward him, she said, “I’ve got you, buddy.” As she led him through the crowd and to the higher ground, Rowen began to regain his confidence in the security of her presence.
That day, I gained a valuable lesson as I watched my daughter take her son to the safety of higher ground. Metaphorically, there are a lot of Silverbacks in this world that appear harmless from the observation deck. Their beauty allures us to a second look when temptation begins to make our decisions. Often, it is a wrong choice in a moment of weakness that affects the rest of our lives.
Satan uses temptation to lure us away from the protection of our Heavenly Father. The Apostle Paul struggled with the alluring nature of sin. Paul’s greatest desire was to do what was right, yet temptation plagued him. He spoke of his inner being delighting in the law of the Lord while the sinful nature of his mind fought against him. Paul knew his only hope was in the saving grace of Jesus (Romans 7:14-25).
Our hope is also found in the Lord Jesus. That day, Rowen could have stayed in fear; however, he heard his mother’s voice and reached for her hand. Wherever we are in life, our Father is calling our name. He has reached out His hand to save us. Therefore, the choice to reach up becomes ours. It is time to find our confidence in His salvation by letting go of what causes us harm. His greatest desire is to lead us to the safety of His higher ground.
Psalm 91:1-2&14 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

Cheryl Mixon-Cruce is Pastor of Ochlockonee Bay United Methodist Church and Sopchoppy United Methodist Church.