dedicated to Oupa in Johannesburg, South Africa. Thank you for inspiring me to write these words and for your Godly wisdom to encourage us.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 – A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple braided cord is not easily broken.

“Hold onto the Yo-yo string.
Never let go.“ ~ Oupa

Oupa said to us “Hold onto the yo-yo string. Never let go.” This moved me beyond measure. It gave me a reassurance and peace that I wasn’t expecting. My senses have been heightened in the last weeks and God seems far away at times, out of reach. Despite daily, committing everything into Father God’s hands. Oupa’s words brought an image to my mind. A beautiful picture of people being like a yo-yo. Sometimes we move closer up the yo-yo string to be at the heart of God’s love. Experiencing God’s love, abundant grace and mercy. His never-ending forgiveness. And sometimes the yo-yo string stretches so far down that God seems so far away. No-matter how far the yo-yo string stretches – we are still holding onto our lifeline of God’s deep love for us. Most of all the yo-yo image reminds me of never being alone. Of always having someone nearby. Knowing ultimately that we are loved truly for who we are regardless of what we do or do not do. There is no performance needed in order to gain God’s acceptance. We are accepted for who we are. Regardless of what we have achieved or not achieved. We are human beings not human doings. God doesn’t want us to be performing, but wants us just to be. Trusting in Him. Acknowledging Him in all things.

In desperate times it is easy to forget who is the source of life. It is easy to forget to look up to our Lord and saviour for guidance. It is easy to forget to rely on Him for our strength or to trust in Him. Yet we need to remind ourselves to keep looking up to God for help. To trust Him to take complete control of the situation and not to rely on our own strength. It is always better to surrender our struggles to the Father in heaven and allow Him to steer the boat whilst taking a step of courage to let go of all that is holding us back in moving forward. Don’t try and create a story in your head, and don’t focus on the past. On the hurts from the past. Don’t allow fear to control you – because when you allow fear to control you, you’re not experiencing true freedom in Christ. I know it is hard to do. I struggle with it at times. But when you learn to let go and let God in then you will experience moving mountains. You will witness a God that can move mountains, that can perform miracles. Make a way where there seems to be no way, be a miracle worker, a promise keeper and be the light in the darkness. Turn to the source that has given you life, light and love. Turn away from darkness. Don’t allow the enemy to deceive you or attack you. Often the enemy will come in and attack using something against you. Sometimes you can be blindsided. Yet if you continue to hold on to the Yo-yo – (the Yo-yo being God/Jesus) you will never be alone. You will then be able to live in peace. You will have the assurance of knowing that whatever might happen in your life – God will not let you down. God will always hold you whether you are wound up tightly against the yo-yo or stretched so far away from the heart of God. God has got you in the palm of His hand and will make a way where there seems to be no way.

God will guide you. He will show you the way, and not turn His back on you. He will always be there. He says:

“Come my child, stay with me. Don’t worry about anything. Let me love you. You don’t have to be unbroken to be loved. We all need someone. Hold onto me, my child. Trust in me and I will show you the way. Do not be afraid. Do not believe the lies of your broken-past. You are safe in my loving arms. Come to me my child when you are weary and I will give you rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. You will never be alone, for I love you and I will guide you.”

Trust and obey. Seek the Lord Almighty. Don’t allow the enemy to steal your joy. Hold onto the Yo-yo string. Never let go. Let go of all that holds you down. Surrender all to God and let God in and be the one that carries your load. He wants to carry your load. He wants to love you. All He wants of you is to be. To be and to be still. Not to do. Not to control the situation. For He’s gone ahead and made a way through the impossible. Turning an impossible into a possible. Are you ready to trust in God? To give Him your all?

Psalm 46:10 – Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.

God loves you. He cares for you.