The Push That Saves Us

Good Morning! 

Sometimes we all need a push, a holy nudge that reminds us of what we already know but keep putting off. 

As children, that push often came from our parents. They had their own “methods” of bringing forgotten chores back to the forefront: the raised voice, the stern look, or even the belt. And as much as we didn’t like it, those nudges shaped us.

I remember one day in Texas when I was supposed to cut the grass. I had all day to do it, early morning before the heat scorched the earth or late evening when the sun finally gave us mercy. It didn’t matter when, as long as it got done. But that day, I didn’t do it. My friends pulled up ready to take me to a party, but that plan ended quickly. I found myself outside at 9 p.m., pushing a lawn mower in the dark while the party went on without me. That night, I learned something: the push wasn’t punishment, it was responsibility.

Now here we are as adults with more obligations, more distractions, and more reasons to forget what God has asked of us. And just like then, we still need reminders. God nudges us through His Word, through conviction, through circumstances, and sometimes through discomfort. But unlike our childhood experiences, God’s push is never out of anger. It’s out of love.

Think of Jonah, who needed a push to go to Nineveh. Think of Moses, who needed a push to confront Pharaoh. Think of Peter, who needed a push to step out of the boat. Every push was uncomfortable, but every push led to purpose.

So why do we resist God’s nudge? Fear? Defiance? Weariness? Or simply because we don’t want to be inconvenienced?

Yet God’s push is always for our good. He sees what we cannot. He knows what we avoid. And He loves us too much to let us stay stuck.

What area of your life do you feel God nudging you in right now?