To Draw

Scripture says that God “draws“ us to him.  “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.” John 6:44. It’s interesting that of the three Greek words for the verb “to draw“, helkuo, the one used here,  is the strongest. Literally it means “to tug, draw, or compel,” and is found 6 times in the New Testament. In each usage, the thing that was drawn, came; there is never a suggestion or hint that whatever was drawn was not accomplished.  If you can imagine pulling a burlap sack of rocks across a long, rough expanse, you can get a better picture.  The one doing the drawing has to use enough force to overcome the friction between the object drawn, and the surface on which it rests.  Jesus, in essence is telling us that he knows how difficult it is for us to totally relinquish the hold we have on our lives, and things of this world.  It’s what we know, and what is so familiar, no matter how appealing or rewarding life in Christ might be.  Still, as long as there is even a tiny bit of interest, or searching, on our parts, God keeps pulling us in that sack, over rocky spots, mud puddles and briar patches, until we are safely home.  Yes, the draw may leave us bumped and bruised, but the joy of being raised with Christ one day, makes it all worthwhile!