Today's Scriptures are Romans 8:12-18. My relationship with God has always been deeply and profoundly shaped by the fact that my earthly father was absent from my life. At first, that meant that I carried a deep wound, but as time passed and I grew and I began to understand my Heavenly Father, then I learned a great truth. The truth was this, I am God's child. I am not a mere product of an act of lust between two consenting adults. I am not an abandoned little boy...I am a son of God.
That is a wonderful, happy truth that began to help me navigate life on a course that led me to not having to worry about trying to win the approval of men...because like Paul said that is a fruitless exercise that only takes you away from serving Christ (Galatians 1:10).
But something else has happened in my journey. I have now reconnected with my earthly father. And I am learning to love him too. All that I used to consider that he gave me was the gift of how NOT to be a father to my two sons. But now I am learning more in life. I am learning a little bit about being the son of someone and how that matters. God is teaching me so many things in my life...and I love it.
Sonship...being called a son, is a big deal. Not that being a daughter is unimportant...but there is something dynamically special about being a son. And I am learning it now as an adult. It is a good schooling I am going through.
As I learn to be a son again, in a new and fresh way, I get to learn even more about my wonderful, loving Heavenly Father who never left me or abandoned me. He was always Present in my life. The safety of that closeness is what has sustained me...even in my most shameful and dark times.
As my earthly father desires to know me...I am reminded of my Heavenly Father's desire for me to know Him. Wow! He just blows me away each and every day!
"Thank you, Abba, Father for never leaving me alone. For always caring for me. For never giving up on me. I love you and I want to know you more. In Your Son's Name."
Showing posts with label Romans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romans. Show all posts
Friday, May 16, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
My Encounter Journey (Day 10)
Today's Scriptures are Romans 8:18-28. This is a very encouraging passage. What is awaiting us in heaven is far better than what is messing up our lives here on earth. My wife has always told me that it would be great if I could experience some of the things that only women experience, but apparently, Paul says I somehow am. The earth is groaning like it is in labor. And we are doing the same thing. We are groaning with a hope that heaven is better than earth (it's got to be)...with the expectation that we will be adopted as a very child of God.
We are groaning like we are in labor when we experience those situations when we know we should pray, but we have no idea how or what to say because the complexity of the situation we are facing is overwhelming. Then God steps in for us through His Spirit and takes over for us.
I see that as kind of like how I am teaching my oldest son to drive right now. There have been a couple of things he faced as we were learning to drive (far away from all civilization, mind you) that he wasn't sure what to do, if he should brake or push the gas...if he should turn left or right. He just didn't know. So I took over for him. I got him through that difficult part.
That's what our heavenly Father does for us. He steps in and takes the wheel sometimes for us. That is an awesome thing. (Except I am glad God only does this for us through our prayers and not while we are driving because that would be weird...no one could see anybody behind the wheel and that could cause an accident.)
The best of the best of the best of this section in Romans is verse 28. What ever crap you walk through, whatever horror movie your life seems to be turning out to be, whatever giant blocks your pathway...God will turn that completely around. Now, He doesn't say how long that will take (because most of the time it can't happen fast enough for us.) But He does say it will happen. That means no matter how bad it gets, it will get better. God promises this, but it is only for those who are fully devoted followers.
"Lord Jesus, thank you, thank you, thank you. You are an awesome, wonderful, loving and Holy God. A God who helps us even though we don't deserve to be helped. Thank you for your goodness, your kindness, your grace. I love you, Lord. I love it that I am your precious child. In Jesus' Name."
We are groaning like we are in labor when we experience those situations when we know we should pray, but we have no idea how or what to say because the complexity of the situation we are facing is overwhelming. Then God steps in for us through His Spirit and takes over for us.
I see that as kind of like how I am teaching my oldest son to drive right now. There have been a couple of things he faced as we were learning to drive (far away from all civilization, mind you) that he wasn't sure what to do, if he should brake or push the gas...if he should turn left or right. He just didn't know. So I took over for him. I got him through that difficult part.
That's what our heavenly Father does for us. He steps in and takes the wheel sometimes for us. That is an awesome thing. (Except I am glad God only does this for us through our prayers and not while we are driving because that would be weird...no one could see anybody behind the wheel and that could cause an accident.)
The best of the best of the best of this section in Romans is verse 28. What ever crap you walk through, whatever horror movie your life seems to be turning out to be, whatever giant blocks your pathway...God will turn that completely around. Now, He doesn't say how long that will take (because most of the time it can't happen fast enough for us.) But He does say it will happen. That means no matter how bad it gets, it will get better. God promises this, but it is only for those who are fully devoted followers.
"Lord Jesus, thank you, thank you, thank you. You are an awesome, wonderful, loving and Holy God. A God who helps us even though we don't deserve to be helped. Thank you for your goodness, your kindness, your grace. I love you, Lord. I love it that I am your precious child. In Jesus' Name."
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