We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 (CSB)
They were all heading straight for disaster, and they didn’t have a clue. So, I was walking on our local bike path the other day. It was early morning but not so early that the sun wasn’t already hot. It was going to be warm one—especially for this time of year. As I was walking, I looked down and saw several, no many, earthworms on the bike trail. They were trying to make it across.
I know, you’re thinking, “Why did the earthworm cross the bike path?” The answer is “I don’t know but it sure wasn’t going well.” Some had already bit the bullet and others were in the struggle of their wormy lives. Most were squirming…doing everything they could to make it to the other side. The only thing is I could see what they could not. They were a long way from home.
I can just imagine one of the worms with the gift of leadership shouting to his friends, “Keep going guys. You can make it. Just a little further.” The trouble is he just didn’t have the whole picture…the view from above. From his perspective the end was right over there. From his perspective just a few more inches and they would be home free. Perspectives from ground level are often like that. That is why we need someone with a better view.
One of the things I love about believing in God is knowing that He has a higher, better view. He can see things that you just can’t see at ground level. And when He speaks…He speaks true encouragement because He knows what is around the bend or a few days down the road. God is really good at helping His kids do life. If only we would learn to listen. If only…
See, I talked to some of the earthworms as I walked. I would say things like, “It’s not looking good, partner.” Or maybe, “Dude, you’re not gonna make it squirming like that.” Then, “Hey, why are you crossing the bike path anyway?” I just had to ask. Well, no one listened and on they squirmed. It was going to be hard day for most of them.
And, then, and this is the truth, I would sometimes stop and actually pitch one or two of them into the cool, wet grass. It was a random thing I would do. I would stop, pick one out, and chuck them to the side. While not one of them said “thanks” it was enough for me to save him or her from the dreaded concrete desert. It just felt good to save a life—even if it was just an earthworm. I just hope it wasn’t his cousin I put on a hook last week.
When I thought about this whole perspective and rescue thing I just naturally thought about God. Along with His great perspective, He cares enough to rescue us. He wants to rescue every person from an eternity without Him. I mean He loves us so much…and He loved us before we even thought about loving Him. The Bible says that we love Him because He first loved us. He saw all our warts, all our imperfections, all our bad choices and chose to love us anyway. He loved us before we even promised to try and do things right. A promise, by the way, that we could never keep anyway.
Sometimes, I would pick an earthworm to save for no apparent reason. I just picked one. God said, “That will never do.” And do you know what, He loved the whole world…everybody…everyone. Now we still have to choose to repent, choose to follow, choose to believe. But when we do…well, the welcome sign is out. Welcome home, son. Welcome home, daughter. And this is the best part. Should we wander back onto the concrete desert, He doesn’t say, “Good grief or good luck.” No, He just reaches out, takes us by the hand and pulls us back into the cool, green grass called His presence. You gotta love that.
Well, I don’t know if you will ever feel compelled to rescue an earthworm or not. But the next time you see one on the sidewalk on a hot day, just remember the time He rescued you. Remember the time He didn’t leave you out in the hot to become a crispy critter. No, He reached down and picked you up. Isn’t it great to have a God that cares? That you can rest in? A Father that’s got this? Yup…I know it’s so. Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 