Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God. Jeremiah 31:18
Have you ever felt that you were being corrected by God? I certainly have.
Sometimes God gets my attention in very gentle ways and guides me to a better way of thinking about or doing something. Sometimes however, He is more abrupt with me and stops me in my tracks.
Why does He chastise us? Because He loves us dearly and wants only what is good and pure for us.
Sometimes I have resisted God’s correcting hand. But I can never get very far without Him straightening me out. The more we become accustomed to the yoke of Christ, the more we will feel God turning us toward the purpose He has for us.
Here’s a poem I wrote a few years ago. It was a heartfelt prayer at the time and continues to help me stay focused on God’s will for me.
Chastisements of Love
Whatever it takes, Father!
Even if You have to grab me by the feet
and shake me upside down over the Grand Canyon…
Or, if, simply though the coo of a dove
You touch my heart…
Whatever it takes to empty my pockets
of the false gods I so mistakenly cherish…
Whatever it takes to wake me up…
I trust You will accomplish.
For just this morning
You told me You loved me.
James Early
