Day 25

Maybe you are unfamiliar with the term, or can’t envision someone hitchhiking along the road since our world has become so mistrusting. But there once was a time when it was completely acceptable to stand alongside the road and stick your thumb out in the direction you wanted to go. People would stop and pick you up to bring you as close to your destination as they were going. Why did people start doing this? It was a free ride.

I read a Bible study once that pointed to the areas that we struggle in and suggested there are hitchhikers in our lives that contribute to our struggling. Basically things like fear, anxiety, lust, distrust, shame, guilt, they all want a free ride in our minds and hearts. The key to this analogy and why I felt like it was a great mental image for this topic is that there is a clear distinction of roles here. As the “driver” we have the right to decline entry to any trespassing entity. It is important that we acknowledge our role and our authority. Often in conversations with people they say, “Well, you know, I have anxiety.” This is the perfect example of how we have basically let this hitchhiker into our car. We just keep driving around with them and they boss us around. We have been given authority over such things, so grab a hold of yours today and don’t let anything hitchhike into your life unless it is pleasing to God!

“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’ He replied ‘I saw satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven’.”

– Luke 10:17-2

What sorts of hitchhikers can you identify in your life? How do they impact your thinking and your actions?

The next time you recognize a hitchhiker trying to get a free ride on you, just say “No way, hitchhiker! I know you and I am not stopping to pick you up!”

Believing with you,

Yvonne