The bible states that there is a time to embrace and a time to refrain (Eccl 3:5). Anyone who embraces the purpose of God for their life will at some point in their life experience a broken heart from having to refrain from someone they care about for a season or a life time. God the Father experienced this pain just before He wiped everything but Noah and his immediate family from the face of the earth (Gen 6:6). When Mary embraced the call of God on her life to be the mother of the Messiah, as grand as her destiny was, she was told to prepare as a sword will pierce her heart over the child she bore (Lk 2:35). It happened as she watched mankind crucify her son and there was nothing she could do about it because to try to prevent it from happening will equal being outside the will of God.
Jesus’ heart was broken over His Jewish family who refused to accept Him, His message and ministry (Lk 19:41-44). Noah also experienced a broken heart as his several brothers and sisters (Gen 5:30) ended up dying in the flood because they did not share in his faith and lifestyle. Paul was broken hearted over the unbelief of his Jewish relatives. In all of the above references, it hurt to refrain when all they wanted to do was embrace. In our walk through life, we will be faced with situations where we will have to choose between our loyalty to God and our loyalty to a loved one. What do you do when a loved one just want to stray? Do you compromise your standards just to maintain the relationship? Do you accommodate sin just to keep the ‘embrace?’
Jonathan was a godly young man with an ungodly Father, Saul. He knew the Spirit of God had left his dad and his dad was no longer walking in the will of God. He chose to stay with his dad. When Saul was judged, Jonathan went down with him. They both died the same day. Sapphira knew her husband Ananais was living in deception, when asked if her husband’s report about the property they sold was right, she chose to lie with her husband. Judgment came and they both died the same day (Acts 5:1-11). Abigail however understood that there is a time to embrace and a time to refrain, so when her husband Nabal choose to act foolishly towards David and his men, she refrained from him and took it upon herself to do what was right. Judgment came, Nabal died and God spared Abigail’s life (1Sam 25:14-38). The Father of the prodigal son also understood that there is a time to hold back and a time to let go. When his son wanted to go the way of sin, with a broken heart, he let him go.
Don’t hold back people you’re supposed to let go, don’t try to embrace in a time to refrain, you will be doing more harm than good and you may be positioning yourself for a judgment you needn’t come under. It might hurt real badly, but you must learn to endure the pain while trusting God to work everything out for good.
Trust God to bring your ‘prodigal loved ones’ home. He alone can do all things. By all means, know the seasons of your life, do not embrace when it is time to refrain and vice versa.
Shalom!
