Held Secure
“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:29
Jesus should’ve given up on me long ago. But each day, despite my sins and failures, God draws and holds me close.
In Christ, I am held secure.
I never fully understood God’s heart for me until I became a parent. But having walked beside my daughter through her obedient and rebellious times, I’ve come to understand the love that never lets go and never gives up.
When our daughter was young, we moved across the country, a transition she struggled with. Though initially, we were oblivious to her pain—seven-year-olds aren’t often able to express their emotions—we soon became alert to a drastic change of behavior. Our normally cheerful, affectionate little girl had become sullen and angry.
I was confused and concerned.
One afternoon, she grew quite upset with me (for reasons I can’t remember), shouted, “I hate you!” and slammed her bedroom door.
That was the first, and perhaps last, time she’d ever said something like that to me, and it broke my heart, but not for the reasons you may assume.
My heart broke because I knew hers was breaking. Beneath her anger and harsh words, I saw her pain, and in that moment, what I longed for most was to draw her near and hold her close.
I’ve displayed a similar response toward God as she had to me, numerous times, throughout my faith journey. Like when my friend was dying, and I struggled to reconcile my circumstances with what I knew regarding God’s love, power, and sovereignty. Once my emotions settled down, guilt and fear followed. Had my anger angered God?
Had I—or would I—do something that would drive Him away for good?
But each time, I discovered, not only had He remained, but He was actually taking giant, loving steps toward me.
He holds me secure, and His love will always, always remain.
Unshakable. Immovable. Unquenchable.
That is true for you as well.
Jennifer Slattery is a writer, editor, speaker, and the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries. She writes for Crosswalk, is a multipublished author of Hometown Healing among other titles who also writes articles, Bible studies, and devotions. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall outings with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband. Visit her online at jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com or book her for your next women’s event.
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