I'm hoping that the title of this article has gotten your attention! Fortunately, the word "arrested" has more than one meaning. Arrested can mean, "taken into custody by officials" or it can also mean, "to capture and hold someone's attention."
I'm happy to report that law enforcement agents at the Qu'Appelle Valley in Saskatchewan, Canada did not arrest me. But I was caught off guard during a day trip. I had left during the late morning to visit First Nation communities about two hours from my home with the Intertribal Life newspaper.
Halfway into the trip, I realized I didn't have my wallet! Panic and worry began to consume me as I wondered what would happen if the police stopped me. I could be fined for driving without my license. I had no cash on me, and I also frantically wondered what would happen if I had vehicle problems.
I suddenly got very upset with myself for leaving my wallet at home, as these very possible emergent situations would not let me relax. Suddenly, I looked around me as I drove and realized I was in the beautiful Qu'Appelle Valley. Gorgeous cascading hills were in front of me, to my left and right, as well as behind me.
The majesty of these hills snapped me out of my worries and pointed me to the "all-powerful" Creator of the beautiful visual display that encompassed me. He had made these rugged hills by the power of His Word! (Hebrews 1:3). At that moment it was like God was telling me, "Becky, I am in control of this situation, and I am holding you. I've got you covered by my strength, just like you are surrounded by this awesome valley."
All my worries were silenced as God demonstrated to me that underneath my problem were His everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27). After this divine reminder from the Lord, I really enjoyed the rest of my trip--even without my wallet!
Seven hours later, I got home just fine!
Have you been overwhelmed by a situation that you are facing? Do worry, doubt and fear control you? Let me encourage you about being "arrested" by God! This really means, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).
It's so easy to fixate on our problems instead of acknowledging that God is in control. He is greater than any problem we are facing. Have you appreciated how awesome He is today?
The greatest demonstration of God's power and love was displayed at the cross of Jesus Christ. There was no beauty in the visual display of humans' cruelty to their Creator, as He shed His innocent blood in payment for our crimes against God (Isaiah 52:14). Despite the ugliness of the cruel cross, there is true power to behold!
The Lord Jesus's sacrificial death and His victorious resurrection three days later proved that with God all things are possible. Jesus defeated the biggest problem of our sin! The guilt that each of us has before God can be cleared forever, only upon faith in what the Lord Jesus accomplished at the cross for you and for me (Acts 16:31).
We can know that no matter what we face on this earth, we can have everything to look forward to in Heaven. This wonderful prospect only applies to those who have been "arrested" by God's great love! "God showed His love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Do you believe this?
Becky Kew is a distributer of Intertribal Life newspaper and has been involved in First Nations Ministry for over 20 years. You can reach her at Beckykew@outlook.com.
