So many times, on our hesitation to act, we can allow ourselves to become persuaded.
If the counsel is prudent, we may avoid trouble ahead. If the counsel is not, we might be acquiring more than we bargained for.
In the novel Persuasion, Anne Elliot has a whirlwind romance at the age of 19 with a naval officer, Frederick Wentworth, yet to begin his adventures at sea.
When he proposes so soon after meeting, Anne is unsure what to do. I believe the fact her level headed mother had found herself quickly married to a handsome baronet (who only thought of his own vanity & societal positioning), she may have been raised being warned of a quick match. Her father immediately rejected his suit due to Frederick’s lack of social standing & wealth.
Anne sought counsel from her mother’s best friend, Last Russell, as to whether she should follow her heart or not. Anne accepted Lady Russell’s wisdom in saying no, in her being too young, and the suitor had not yet made his way on the world, and so broke the engagement.
Instead of praying about it, she sought earthly clarifaction for in fact the major decision any young woman at the time could make. She didn’t have enough faith to pursue what He might have to say in this most important decision.
Frederick was understandably persuaded she did not return his affection, which was untrue.
8 years pass, and they have both harbored resentment alongside their broken hearts when they chance to meet again.
Anne is not the same timid young woman she was at 19.
Now Captain Wentworth, Frederick has made his fortune on the seas, and now commandeers respect for his choice of career.
In the small circle of acquaintances & family they find themselves traveling with, they soon come to learn over a six month period how they Ned to forgive, and are persuaded by their own thoughts & circumstances to give love another chance.
I an happy to say, Anne refuses to listen as people attempt to persuade her not to accept the Captain.
How does this relate to us, today, in the real world?
We too are distracted and regularly persuaded in our society & culture.
The media not so subtly persuades us to believe everything at first glance without in-depth study or knowledge.
Unsure as to who we really are, we tend to seek counsel in our peers or those we admire in an attempt to persuade ourselves what to do, or not to do, in a situation or choice.
The enemy is also on the prowl, on the look out for how he can persuade us to step off the path of safety. He longs for nothing more than to make us stumble, or be caught unawares by the consequences of what he is persuading us to give in to.
We tend to rattle things through our minds, emotions and by those around us instead of seeking the One who knows us best, and has only the best plans for us.
Do you again need to be persuaded of His absolute passion for you?
His ardor never failing, His grip never slipping, His intentions only for your/my good.
His love for us displayed on the cross was the absolute display meant to persuade us all of just how much He loves us.
He needs not do anymore to persuade us.
He spent from the Garden of Eden to the Garden of Golgotha persuading His people of His love, until He took the most radical step to finally persuade us, once and for all.
I believe God knows we are like sheep, and have a tendency to only look around us, instead of at the Shepherd taking care of us.
Its time to be persuaded to seek Him first.
It is hard to be in love with someone who doesn’t spend time with you, who takes off at the first sign of trouble, and is easily persuaded through false sources that you don’t love them.
One would think God to be tired of persuading us.
However, His Spirit is constantly at work doing just that.
Reminding us how much He loves us.
As if each of us was His only love.
Persuading us to come, spend time with Him, and believe Him.
Allowing ourselves to be persuaded to follow where He leads.
Our Groom awaits His Bride, longing for her to become secure in His devotion.
Will you allow yourself to be persuaded by the One who is worthy to do so?
KARLA LEES 