Let’s take a trip back in time. I want you to think of a time when you were in your teen years making all the “best” decisions in the world. Remember one of those times when you did something not so bright and needed help? Who did you not want to ever find out? Who did you (or would have if you’re from my generation or earlier) call? Who should you have called? For me, I would never have wanted my parents to find out, especially my dad. I would have called another friend or maybe my favorite uncle, whomever I thought would never rat me out…again, to my dad. Who should I have called? Easy, MY DAD!
This concept has been on my heart extra heavy this past week. I was in my Bible app devotional this week listening to the amazing host reflect, review, and explain the scriptures in Sunday’s reading. At one point, she was talking about how God is the best Father anyone could have and instead of trying to hide our transgressions from Him, our first thought should be, “I really messed up. I need to call Dad.” This took me aback for a second. It made me think about all those times I wanted to hide from my earthly father because he was the very one that would have helped me. However, he would have had a few things to say to me in the process. I always wished when I was little that he’d just spank me and get it over with, but oh no! He would talk to me until I felt less than an inch tall. It wasn’t because he was being abusive. It was because he was holding a mirror up for me to truly look at myself in, without being able to look away. He had a way of turning my soul inside out, and I wanted to avoid that at every cost. I also never wanted to disappoint him. I was absolutely a Daddy’s girl, and I lived by his expression and opinion of me for most of my life.
I know not everyone had a father in their lives, or even if they did, he wasn’t someone to look up to as a role model. I’m truly sorry for those of you who may have experienced this in your lives. I think it does make it more difficult to see God as your Father. However, He is not a person. “God is not a man, that he might lie, or a son of man, that he might change his mind. Does he speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19 CSB) Please rest in this fact. When I felt so betrayed by men not too long ago, I struggled to trust anyone. Then, I read this verse and remembered that God can be trusted when no one else can. He’s the one I can run to no matter what I’ve done. He may not approve of my actions, but nothing can make Him not love me, which was extremely difficult for me to fathom. Isaiah 54:10 says, “‘Though the mountains move, and the hills shake, my love will not be removed from you and my covenant of peace will not be shaken,’ says you compassionate LORD.” (CSB) That’s a pretty powerful image isn’t it?
Once I started to embrace this idea, it changed the game for me. I started to think differently and began to run to Jesus for absolutely everything no matter what it was. All of what I’ve shared so far came full circle on Tuesday when I read my Jesus Calling devotional for November 5th. I’d love to quote the entire passage, but the gist was this–your circumstances and feelings about them do not need to determine the quality of your life; stop connecting what’s happening to you to your lack of control in a situation. News flash: WE HAVE NO TRUE CONTROL. Yes, I said it. I was one of the people who tried to organize and control as much as possible, so I understand the sting of that statement. However, it’s the truth. The beautiful realization I came to was that control is heavy, and I don’t have to carry that much weight. I’m one of His sheep, not a donkey or other pack animal. I’m not built to carry it but guess who is!
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 NIV) Did you read that and actually think about it? Absolutely nothing can separate us from that love. Isn’t that one of the most comforting thoughts!? Okay, I’ve got to give you just one more in this line of thought from Isaiah 55:7: “Let the wicked one abandon his way and the sinful one his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, so He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will freely forgive.” (CSB) I know that’s quite a bit of scripture this week, and I don’t mean to overload anyone, but I feel this urgency to communicate to absolutely everyone that there is NOTHING you could possibly say or do that can keep you from His love. The walls we erect are the only obstacles. He won’t chase you down. He won’t force His way into your life, heart, or soul. You have to seek Him, but when you do, you’ll find the kindest, gentlest, most forgiving and accepting Father you could have never even imagined.
He is for us. He knows so much more about us than we know about ourselves. That might scare you, but it should comfort you. He knows ALL about you, and yet He still waits patiently for you to spend time with Him so He can forgive and love you. He has a plan for your life, a purpose-driven life. It just takes your closeness to Him. Spend some time with Him, and with some consistency, He’ll change your life forever. It all starts with you changing your mind about God’s opinion of you. Soon, you’ll start to change your opinion of yourself for the better. Changing our minds sounds so simple (especially for women, wink), but it’s been the hardest journey of my life thus far. I’m still working at it, but it’s so worth it. Please change your mind and let the love and hope of the Holy Spirit fill your life.
