The Father's Heart

I began writing this post back in April, but it didn't end up going in the right direction. Two months later, I'm here again. I thought I would try again and will see where the post goes especially since today is Father's Day. Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there!

I remember while growing up, my family didn't have much. We weren't so poor that we couldn't afford to eat, but we weren't exactly well off either. At a young age I became conscious of our finances and as a result, I didn't ask my parents for much. This is so silly but I would be shocked that parents would buy kids books when they would read it one time and then put it on their shelf. Why not go to the library and borrow books for free (haha, now I buy books because there are some books you can't borrow at the library)? As a result, I didn't ask for things because the answer would be a "no." It wasn't that my parents were withholding good things from me, but there were just limitations with finances. A month ago or so, Aug gave a youth group message on the Father's heart based on Ephesians 3:14-21. He shared with the youth group that often times we don't receive because we don't ask. After hearing this, I kept thinking more about it. As my family became better off as the years went on (when my dad began working as a nurse), I learned how to ask my dad for things. But the concept of not asking my dad for big things or too many things because I think I'm asking for too much - without me even being aware of it, it carried into my relationship with God, the Father. But is anything too big for the Lord? While I don't want to babble on and on with a list of selfish prayer topics to God in prayer, the more I learn about the father's heart, I see that yes, I can lay everything (whether big or small) down before the Lord. Because he cares. Because he is for me. Because he loves me. God, our good Father, withholds nothing good from us. I think as Christians, when we focus on these rules and commandments we must follow, we begin to lose sight of the Father's heart and we forget that yes, God is for us. Rather, these rules and commandments are standards God has for his people to follow because God knows what is best for us. He knows that adultery will create deep scars that will hurt and run deep in families. He knows that thief will create mistrust and dissension among neighbors. Therefore let's not forget that God is for us. A parent's heart is not to criticize every mistake a child makes. No, they correct and rebuke because they want their child to grow and mature into a woman/man of God. They are for their children. And it may be difficult to see it when God disciplines us, but as Romans 8:28 says - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." I would say that my mentality and attitude shifted when I realized and truly believed that yes, God is for me. God is not there to criticize every mistake that I make. Rather, his desire is that I will continue to mature and become more and more like Jesus.

When I see the parents at our church, I see them delight in their children. Their works didn't earn their mom and dad's love. And in the same way, God, our Father, delights in us! And he loves us not because of all the works we do for him. He just loves us. I'm not a parent right now so I can't speak from experience, but here in Uganda, there is a five year old Chinese girl named Aizhen. Her parents are missionaries here to Uganda and they live in the building across from the Bethesda Medical Center. Aizhen likes to come to our room and ask for kim (dried seaweed) and mangoes because she just really likes kim. This is such a small example, but how can I say no? She's so cute! And how much more do parents delight in their children? And how much more does God delight in us?

And the more I learn about God's big heart for me, the more I see that God's heart is for everyone to know Him. I always struggled to understand the story of the prodigal son in the older brother's point of view. Everyone always focuses on the prodigal son - how when he ran away and came back, the father embraced him. It's a beautiful illustration of God's love for us, but for a long time, I could relate more to the older brother. But the older brother failed to understand his father's heart. Everything that was the father's was his. Yet, he was angry that his brother squandered his portion of the inheritance, came back, and now his father was throwing him a party. As Christians, I think it's really easy to become like the older son if we fail to understand the Father's heart. If we never really did anything "bad" persay we can easily feel like the older brother. But God's heart is for everyone to know Him. Yes, God chose me and saved me, but it's not just about me. Also, as children of God, everything that is the Father's, is ours as well. We have such a glorious inheritance! It is worth more than all the riches of this world. So we have this mission to go and make disciples of all nations and share this glorious inheritance. While there are limited resources on this earth, there is no limit to God's love.

I also believe that God places in father's hearts the need to provide for the family. My dad works crazy hours when he's on call to provide for my family (especially my college tuition). I believe this shows me a glimpse of God as the provider God. Because he loves me, is for me, and does not withhold anything good from me, he provides for me in his perfect timing.

As we learn more of the Father's heart, will you join me in asking God to do big things? To come, to move, to stir up hearts - in our families, friends, cities, schools, and nations. Because when we ask according to God's will, I am confident that He will answer.