The Way to the Father
On the rare occasions my husband is out of town, I do not sleep well. I am not rested nor am I relaxed. I am on guard and tense. I also wonder where he is and if he is okay and safe. But when he is home, all is well in my world. I know where he is. He does not necessarily need to be right beside me, just having his presence anywhere in the house, I am good. There is a confidence. I do not worry because I know my husband will take good care of us. If anything were to go wrong or out of the ordinary, he'll fix it or figure out who can fix it. I am most comfortable when he is near. I am natural and free to move about without concern. There is a peace and ease. The kids and I feel secure, safe and protected. He belongs to us and we belong to him. His intention towards us is clear - it is for good because he loves us.
That speaks to the power of belonging. The courage we have to "be" and "do" when we know whose we belong to. The strength we feel when we know we have someone FOR us. The way my husband tends to our family, while great, pales in comparison to our heavenly Father. Some days, many days, if not all days, we all need to be reminded that we have someone in our corner. Someone is fighting for us - they will not leave, abandon or forsake us. And even more, we have a home, a resting place for our weary hearts. We have the Father's blessing and he is continually looking for ways to bless us.
In John 14, Jesus is speaking to his disciples at the Last Supper. He is preparing their hearts and minds for what is to come. He shepherds, encourages, assures and proclaims his intent and promise to them. He essentially is foretelling them that they will feel abandoned, lost or helpless in the days to come. They will feel doubt, insecurity and angst because of what they do not see. But, "Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places, if not, I would have told you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back, and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. You know the way to where I am going." (John 14:1-4)
When we face hardships, trials and struggles. For when we feel abandoned, lost or without help. Or for the moments we feel forgotten or insignificant, Jesus instructs us to not be troubled, but believe in God. What a beautiful reminder - to believe, to remember, to wait confidently when we cannot see clearly and when our heart and emotions are conflicting. God is a promise keeper. God is trustworthy. Every word of Jesus is true and he cannot lie. If he said it, he will surely do it. Our confidence lies in God's character, his attributes and nothing of myself or my circumstances.
Friend, we have a home. We have a resting place. We have a seat at the table. We know the way to the Father and we know where the Father is. We do not have to guess or hope to find him. We know because he has made the way clear and himself known to us.
God, thank you for being a present and real God. Thank you for being an involved Father. Thank you for the gift of yourself. May I always remember I have a home, I belong. May my faith scream louder than my feelings. I am the safest when I am with you, in your presence. I can walk with ease and live in peace.
That speaks to the power of belonging. The courage we have to "be" and "do" when we know whose we belong to. The strength we feel when we know we have someone FOR us. The way my husband tends to our family, while great, pales in comparison to our heavenly Father. Some days, many days, if not all days, we all need to be reminded that we have someone in our corner. Someone is fighting for us - they will not leave, abandon or forsake us. And even more, we have a home, a resting place for our weary hearts. We have the Father's blessing and he is continually looking for ways to bless us.
In John 14, Jesus is speaking to his disciples at the Last Supper. He is preparing their hearts and minds for what is to come. He shepherds, encourages, assures and proclaims his intent and promise to them. He essentially is foretelling them that they will feel abandoned, lost or helpless in the days to come. They will feel doubt, insecurity and angst because of what they do not see. But, "Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places, if not, I would have told you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back, and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. You know the way to where I am going." (John 14:1-4)
When we face hardships, trials and struggles. For when we feel abandoned, lost or without help. Or for the moments we feel forgotten or insignificant, Jesus instructs us to not be troubled, but believe in God. What a beautiful reminder - to believe, to remember, to wait confidently when we cannot see clearly and when our heart and emotions are conflicting. God is a promise keeper. God is trustworthy. Every word of Jesus is true and he cannot lie. If he said it, he will surely do it. Our confidence lies in God's character, his attributes and nothing of myself or my circumstances.
Friend, we have a home. We have a resting place. We have a seat at the table. We know the way to the Father and we know where the Father is. We do not have to guess or hope to find him. We know because he has made the way clear and himself known to us.
God, thank you for being a present and real God. Thank you for being an involved Father. Thank you for the gift of yourself. May I always remember I have a home, I belong. May my faith scream louder than my feelings. I am the safest when I am with you, in your presence. I can walk with ease and live in peace.
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