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When I was a little girl, we played this game called ‘freeze.’ The person who was “IT” had a big job, because there were lots of kids in my neighborhood, and we had a big yard; plenty of space to run, play, and hide. The designated “IT” would have to chase the other kids to try and tag them. If they were tagged, that player had to remain frozen in place, in whatever position they were in, until another player tags them again. The person that is “IT” wins when all the runners have been frozen. It’s amazing how much energy we had. This game was so much fun, and it lasted for hours on end. As adults, many of us who played it during our childhoods can attest that this game was good grooming for life, because there’s no question that as Christians were being chased. The true test is whether we’ll remain frozen.
Most of us are familiar with Lot’s wife in Genesis 19. Sodom and Gomorrah were cities destroyed by their own wicked sinfulness. Prior to their destruction, Lot and his family lived in Sodom. The fate of these cities is an example to us of what happens when the devil is allowed free reign in the hearts and minds of individuals, without an opposition of Godliness. It reveals the depth of how far we can stray from the love of God, and what happens when we do. There were not even ten people in that entire area that honored God, only Lot, Abraham’s nephew.
Heavenly Father provided a way of escape for Lot and his family. They were given an opportunity to turn from wickedness and to press towards righteousness, but Lot’s wife had another plan. Having received instruction not to look back, she chose to turn around and do exactly that. She looked back, and sistergirl turned into a pillar of salt, frozen permanently.
In the Words of our precious Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, in Luke 17:32(KJV), “Remember Lot’s wife.” This is an overwhelmingly relevant Word for those of us living today…remember Lot’s wife, indeed. She disobeyed a direct commandment for one final gaze upon her stuff. Maybe it was her house she was concerned about, or maybe there was something else she longed after but had to leave behind. Whatever the case, she demonstrated her inclination to not just look back, but to GO back. Not a good look.
One of the truths that we must never allow to slip our minds is that with God, it is always and forever a forward and upward progression. He will never do anything to cause us to fail, falter, or regress. We can never underestimate the value of this truth. So when we start going backwards, we know that in some way, we’ve failed to grab on to the faith of Jesus Christ with both hands. Any time we experience regression, it’s a sign that some aspect of our faith walk requires attention.
God gave us a play by play rundown of how to master this game of life and win. Through the Apostle Paul, He tells us in Philippians 3:13-14(NLT), “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Jesus Christ has tagged us and rescued us from a state of being perpetually frozen. He’s given us new strength, energized us to soar like eagles, and encourages us to run and faint not. We can’t sleep on this one because the enemy aims to keep us in a frozen state. God tells us in 1Peter 5:8 (NLT), “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” A lion roars to intimidate its prey. Sometimes its victim is so frightened by the sound of the roar that it freezes in its tracks. Then the lion pounces.
When it comes to the devil, we need to see this intimidation tactic for what it is. It’s a ploy to get us to freeze—to stop running and pressing toward what lies ahead. Sisters, as I’ve warned before, and I will continue to do so, don’t lose your position. Don’t allow all the distractions to pull you to the left, right, or down. Apathy and negativity is your enemy, make no mistake about it. Now is the time to press, not to give in or give up…but to press!!! Draw closer to God, and let your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ lead you higher. You’ve been tagged—loosed by him from everything that was holding you back. Something wonderful is about to happen in your life. Keep running!■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Freeze! You’ve Been Tagged!” written by Reverend Fran Mack, edited by Kim Times for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2018. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.
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