Crosswalk

A father and son are crossing a busy intersection at a crosswalk during rush hour. The father, with a firm grip, holds his son’s hand and leads them across the road. His protective vigilance is palpable, as he doesn’t want the child to wander off. The child, in his innocence, is unaware of the actual dangers of the busy intersection. The father, however, is acutely aware of drivers’ unpredictable nature. He knows that someone may run a red light or lose control of their vehicle. The cars in the opposite lanes move at full speed, 60 km per hour. The father’s protective role is crucial here. What if the child ran ahead of the father? The young boy isn’t old or fast enough to judge the traffic, which could have catastrophic results. Even as they cross the street, the father is actively scanning the busy highway while his son, clinging to his hand, looks down at his feet, skipping.

 Roles of the father:

1. Guiding the son as they enter and pass through potential danger by holding his hand.

2. Assessing the danger before they begin to cross the road.

3. Scanning all dangers while they’re walking, ready to defend the son by any means. 

4. The father is aware of the dangers of the road and that events are unpredictable.

5. The father knows his son is too inexperienced to defend himself.

Roles of the son:

1. Unaware of the dangers
2. He is unpredictable because he is inexperienced and may run ahead or stay too far back behind his father.
3. The son, in his innocence, holds his father’s hand, not just following him but trusting him implicitly. This trust is not just a testament to the strong bond between them but a powerful force that binds them. The son is not just physically following his father but also emotionally relying on him for safety.

 Like children who believe without question that their parents will provide and care for them, we are called to place our complete trust in God’s plan and providence. This trust demands humility that acknowledges our limitations and embraces the certainty that God’s wisdom surpasses our understanding. Through this childlike trust, we find solace, strength, and the assurance that we are lovingly held in the hands of a compassionate and all-knowing Creator.

Joshua 1:5 NIV explains this:

“No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.“