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Viewpoint from Izabela Clarry 04/06/2021
 Izabela Clarry
Seventh-day Adventist Church, Gorleston
This week I’ve had the joy of witnessing my one-year-old daughter taking her first steps – after weeks of anticipation, me holding her hands when walking, watching her holding onto the furniture, and then trying to make single unaided steps but lacking confidence to do so – finally she did it! And when she started, there was no stopping her anymore! She loves practising her newly found skill
As I reflected on this, I begun seeing parallels to our Christian walk
I think it’s quite significant that the Bible often refers to little children when talking about our Christian experience. Jesus said that unless we become as little children, we will not enter Heaven (Matthew 18:3), and Apostle Paul writes that like infants, we are to crave spiritual milk (1 Peter 2:2). He also writes that when we become Christians, we are to feed on spiritual “milk” before we move onto “solids”(1 Corinthians 3:2)
 Jesus also referred to God as “our Father”, and used very endearing word “Abba”, which can be translated as “Daddy”. This can be heart-warming to those who remember their Fathers with a lot of affection, as well as to those for whom relationships with their Fathers were somewhat complicated – isn’t it comforting to know that our Heavenly “Daddy” is perfect, wants only what’s best for us, and we can trust Him completely?
However, I also realise that our life experiences and our upbringing can affect the way we view God. For example, if someone had distant, severe parents, they could view God as such. And if they experienced abuse or neglect, they can find it harder to trust anyone, expecting that if they do, they will get hurt again. This could also affect their relationship with God
But the good news is – God really CAN be trusted. “He changes not, His compassions, they fail not”
We don’t have to wait until we become “perfect” so we can come to Him. He accepts us as we are. It can be a huge leap of faith to make this first step toward God. You may think – “what if I fall, again?”. Or “what if I get rejected, again?” Or “what if I get hurt? Can I really trust Him?” And the answer is – yes you can! Make that first step, He is already waiting for you! His arms are wide open, ready to catch you if you fall
also published in the Great Yarmouth Mercury
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