COLD FEET

-CoNnEcT- If you have ever had cold feet for any situation, then you know what it must have felt like for “Runaway Bride” Jennifer Wilbanks. This particular woman was engaged to be married when she suddenly disappeared. After a whole search went on and everyone was panicked, Jennifer showed back up. She had staged her own kidnapping all to get out of going through with the planned wedding to her fiancé. Her initial call of kidnapping was quickly identified as “Cold feet.” -Talk about needing some time away!

-ReFlEcT- Read Matthew chapter 11
Key Verse: 2-6

John was stuck in prison while he sent some disciples to ask Jesus an important question. He (and everyone else) wanted to know if Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for. They were looking for someone who was going to really change things in their community and lead them in power that they so desired.

Upon being asked if he was the guy to do the job, Jesus draws attention to the signs and wonders of all the good things being done. People were receiving sight, the crippled being healed, even the “nasty”, sick people with leprosy were being healed and allowed to live back in the city. Those who were poor were finally hearing some good news---that they would receive their reward and they had hope of a future….good things were finally happening in the life of the people. That in and of itself was a clear message that this “Jesus” guy was “The one”. The answer to John was clear….Jesus was definitely shakin’ things up.

-DiReCt- In so many areas of our lives we want to know who is “The One”. This is especially true when you start the whole dating scene. We want to know who we should spend time with, who we should avoid wasting our time with, what we should be looking for in the people that lead and guide us….we HAVE to make the right choices. We are surrounded with pressure because we don’t want to mess things up.

Sometimes we end up like our “Runaway Bride”. We get a little scared of Jesus and letting him be the final and ultimate love of our lives, and so we run. We might worry that Jesus isn’t the way to heaven or that God is going to disappoint us, but the fear we carry leave us questing like John, is Jesus really “The one.”

According to the Bible, Jesus is the one. HE is the way, the truth and the life. HE is God’s son. He is the one who will bring about the end of this earth and the union of Christians with God in heaven. He is the savior of the world and NOTHING else can save us from ANYTHING.

So next time you feel yourself running from God, just remember that all the sign point to him and that he IS the perfect person for your life. Take the risk and build the relationship. Jesus loves you, and he still wants that relationship, even when you run.

-Have you ever felt a little scared/nervous about getting totally involved in a relationship with God?
-Do you find yourself ever running from God?
-How has God specifically shown you that He is the One you can trust with your life?
-What did you learn in this chapter?