Psalm 27:8 says:
“My heart says this about you:
‘Seek his face.’
Lord, I will seek your face.”
I started out my quite time by asking the Lord what seeking his face looked like and how he wanted to seek me. The Lord revealed so much. I wrote:
“I want you to let me be your father”
“I want you to hold my hand”
During this time, the Lord revealed himself as a father. I felt compelled to share this because in the church we are often told about how he is our father. Because he is. But when you hear things time and time again, they can easily lose meaning. It is one thing to be told something, but it is another thing to believe and receive it. For so long I knew that God was my father but I didn’t fully understand the meaning and power in that; it was easy to still see him as “distant.” It can also be easy to look at ourselves us unworthy and reject his fatherly love, but the Lord wants us to seek him as a father. It can be easy to reflect an image of your earthly father- whether good or bad- onto God. Truth is, he cannot be compared to any earthly father because he is a perfect father. In seeking him as a perfect father he gives us so much more than we could ever deserve or imagine.
In him being a perfect father, we are loved sons and daughters of the king. More than just mere people, we are his masterpiece. More than some earthly love, this love is eternal. We have inherited royalty- he calls us to walk in his name.
“For he chose us to be in him before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” – Ephesians 1:4-5
In him being a perfect father, we are forgiven. He isn’t a father that turns his back but rather one that wants us to run to him again and again; even in sin, shame, and brokenness. He erases our debt.
“For I will forgive their wrongdoing, and I will never again remember their sins.” -Hebrews 8:12
In him being a perfect father, he is proud. Yes, he is proud of YOU! Shame has no place in his presence because he looks at us as his masterpiece, even in our failures. He delights in our attempts. We don’t have to strive for perfection because he just wants our hearts.
“Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace.” – Romans 11:6
In him being a perfect father, he is protective. I am NOT saying that we will not face hardship. We live in a world of brokenness and thus we will never have perfect lives here on earth, but in our struggles he will fight for us because he is good.
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” -John 16:33
“The Lord will fight for you, you only need to be still.” – Exodus 14:14
In him being a perfect father, he gives rest. He calls us to rest in his presence, and tells us that we can find peace in him. He calls us to cast our cares on him.
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” – Matthew 11:28
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all you cares on him, because he cares about you” – 1 Peter 5:6-7
In him being a perfect father, he gives guidance. Wisdom is a beautiful gift that comes from the lord. He tells us that when we seek him, we will find him. He invites us to ask for guidance.
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6
“You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all of your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13
In him being a perfect father, he gives courage and strength. He allows us to be weak, and he wants us to be dependent on him. As children should be dependent on their parents, we should be dependent on him. Too often we are told that independence correlates with strength or ability, but the Lord calls us to lean on him.
“I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Phillipians 4:13
“But he said to me, ‘my Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness’” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
In him being a perfect father, he provides. He tells us that he will meet all of our needs. There are no limits to his capabilities or things he can’t do.
“And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches and glory in Christ Jesus.” – Phillipians 4:19
In him being a perfect father, he is steadfast. His presence can’t be compared to the presence of people. He is constant in every season and promises that he will be with us always.
“…teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20
In him being a perfect father, it isn’t about us. His fatherhood completely transforms our identity into all of the things above. He has freely offered us these things and he isn’t taking them away. When we choose intimacy with him as a father, we receive beautiful fruit. When we cling to these truths in the midst of feelings, emotions, and circumstances, we can walk in the light. We can look for the things he provides elsewhere but ultimately, he is the only one that will always be able to give us these things, and do so endlessly.
In him being a perfect father, he will never let go. He will hold your hand. ALWAYS. You can’t make him leave because of who you are or what you’ve done. He stays because of who he is. He is the midst of the beautiful, the barren, the highs, the lows, the good, the bad, and everything in between. He wants to cry with you. He wants to laugh with you. He wants to dance with you. He wants to carry you. He wants to hold your hand.
Today, I encourage you to let him love you wherever you are at. I pray that you would believe and receive his goodness. That you would let him carry you like a child. That you would embrace his perfection regardless of what your earthly father looks like. That your identity would be rooted in him. That life would look different with him as your father.
*If you would like to talk to me further on what a relationship with Jesus looks like or have questions about anything, please reach out to me!*
Also… exciting update!!! My squad will be going to Louisiana in early October to help with disaster relief! We are super stoked about this opportunity to minister here in the states. I have a deadline of $10,000 that I will need to meet in order to stay in Georgia, and I am currently $1,600 away. You can help by praying for me and donating any amount you feel led! I greatly appreciate all of your support!
