Red Balloons

Here is a simple thought for today~

As I was driving home from work this morning after a 13 1/2 hour shift I was feeling heavy. Not because anything was wrong or I was feeling depressed but because I was exhausted. Then in a matter that seemed out of nowhere, I saw a single red balloon floating through the sky going higher and higher as I approached it. That is when God reminded me that his intentions for our lives were not to be ones weighted down with the cares of this world but one going ever higher and deeper into the arms of our loving and creative father.

So as God reminded me of this my thoughts turned to the life of this balloon. Most balloons, for example don’t get to see the light of day. They are filled with Helium and tied to chairs or doors. While others are allowed to float to the confines of a ceiling. I think sometimes our lives are like that as well, from the very start there are things tying or holding us down. For some that is to the extreme of severe abuse or neglect while for others its where they grow up or expectations placed on them. And of course we shall not forget the balloons who float too near a light or water sprinkler and only last minutes before popping and releasing the air that is their life. This too we sadly see in children rather starving in Africa or shaken to death in America-and everywhere in between.

But not this little balloon, it got away or released or whatever was the case and it was floating higher and higher. I can only imagine how many dangerous objects is managed to blow past. A tree, a bridge, a speeding car. But this balloon, simply being directed my a gentle breeze made it past all of those immediate dangers to float freely and ever higher.

And what if we were simply directed by the gentle breeze of the Holy Spirit? What if we didn’t rush God to get what we wanted in our timing? What if we let God sweetly carry us to those heights? I know I could benefit from a few less sharp limbs of trees and front bumpers of cars. Definitely am tired of the sting of those power lines. His heart is to bring us closer and closer to Him and to bring us good things so maybe since He is God we should allow Him to guide our paths.

Our tendencies to hold onto things that are not of Him really sounds about as ridiculous as a balloon tying itself to an object close to the ground. And yet I have found myself tied to many things and people.

But one thing I know about this balloon is that the heat was coming. The balloon in its upward movement was also drawing closer to the sun. Time would soon be spent and eventually that light and lifted balloon would be affected by life to a point in which it could not survive. And that is where we are blessed to be God’s beloved! When the heat and pressures of life prove to be too much we can return to God for a refill. And even better is that if we stay connected and with His face in our gaze we can be refilled continuously. With life and joy and peace. 

I often fail miserably at that but my God is gracious and forgiving and faithful. In fact, even if we are faithless he remains faithful-for he cannot deny himself (2 Timothy 2:13)!

Thank you Jesus.