What about your Dad? You can be grateful if you’ve been fortunate enough to have had a Dad that left a positive memorable impact in your life. Unfortunately, that isn’t true for all of us. If you’re like me your dad was physically and emotionally absent. Perhaps he didn’t affirm you as he could have and never said, “I love you.” We all have heard this before.
In over 41% of American homes fathers are not living with their family. Additionally, 66% of all kids in America will live with only one biological parent by age 16. You’ve probably heard that there is a connection between our earthly fathers and our perception of God. Although our concept of God may have been distorted by our relationship with our father it doesn’t need to define our view of God.
We have a choice between believing what God has said about Himself, or allow our own experience to determine that for us. Regardless of where and how our view of God was developed God is able to reveal Himself to you and me.
Jesus loved to talk about his Dad. It was his favorite subject. He referred to his father over 100 times in the Gospel of John alone. (John 5:19-20:10:15, 28-29; 14:8-9; 17:23, 25). The religious of Jesus’s day are like many today, confused about God the father (John 8:27-29, 38). God is not merely like a father, He is a Father.
The greatest need for everyone, regardless of our parentage, is to know the Father.
”But let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me,” Jeremiah 9:24
When we clearly understand God’s heart and posture towards us, it helps us understand not only who He is, but ourselves as well. It helps us to accurately interpret our world and experience true lasting significance and security. So let’s look at a few truths about life’s greatest pursuit –knowing the father.
Your father listens to you. (Psalm 91:14-15; Mark 5:33)
Years ago while working in my home office my daughter wanted to talk to me and I told her I was busy studying, but that I was really listening. She put her two little hands around my face and said, “No Daddy, listen to me with your face.” Thankfully, God the Father is never too busy,He listens to you with His full attention.
Your father sees and understands your pain.
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8
Your father pursues you!
Helen of Troy must have been something. Thousands were killed in the battles between Greece and Troy over who would get Helen. Would it be her husband Menalaus or Paris, Prince of Troy? Few have ever been so pursued. Many have never been pursued or even noticed all their lives. Who has passionately pursued you in the right way?
In one of my favorite adventure movies, The Last of the Mohicans, Nathaniel, raised by the Mohican Indians is in love with Cora, the daughter of a proud British Colonel. In one of the final scenes Cora, Nathaniel and others are trapped behind a waterfall with a rival Indian tribe closing in.
Just before Nathaniel jumps into the massive waterfall to escape he passionately tells Cora, “just stay alive no matter what, do whatever you have to do, no matter where, no matter how long, no matter how far I will find you.” In the climax he relentlessly pursued her and rescued her.
Your heavenly Father is saying that same thing to you – no matter where, no matter how long, no matter how far I will find you. Even if you don’t want to be pursued God relentlessly pursues you. He is the divine romancer. He will not give up or abandon you.
What about you, have you lost sight of one who really loves you? Rest assured He has never lost sight of YOU! You are the apple of His eye. You are always on His heart. You are constantly on His mind. There is never a moment when you are out of His care.
Greeting card companies hire professional writers and poets to come up with clever impacting words to say “I love you.” Your Divine Father didn’t send a greeting card. He sent His only Son. He didn’t just tell you He loves you He gave everything for YOU!
Happy Father’s Day!
