This was a small part of a previous blog I have posted. I wanted to share it again, but elaborate on it a little bit. I feel like God has been trying to teach me again the importance of having a stable father figure in life. This is a lesson that I think I'm going to have to re-learn many times throughout my life. I'm thankful God is there to teach me and guide me.
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” - Luke 2:49
Every one of us has a father here on earth. And every one of us at some point or another feels disconnected with our father. Some of us may have great relationships with out fathers, while others may have never met him. There are also those who rely on a respectable male figure in their life to serve as a father figure. Jesus was one of those children. Joseph, the husband of Mary and father to Jesus, isn't actually responsible for the birth of his son. God was. Joseph did however did raise Jesus and guide him in the right direction at a young age. As time went on though, Jesus began to feel a disconnection with Joseph. I feel like every one of us can relate to that. As I was reading this verse an overwhelming sense of comfort came over me. God will always be the perfect father...no matter what. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing our earthly fathers. But in those moments when it's hard to find that fatherly connection it is really awesome to know that God is there, waiting for us to come to him. He won't steer us in the wrong direction, or tell us we aren't worthy of love. Jesus is at every soccer game and He's there when a close friend dies. God is a father that displays a positive influence to His children.
In my own life, my dad is an amazing person. He has such a good heart and an amazing work ethic. He has provided for his family, he's playful and hilarious, and he is a great cook! There isn't a single person on this planet that I love more than my father. I'm so blessed to have a father that loves me. Like any other relationship though, my dad and I have our issues. He doesn't speak my love language so I often don't feel like he loves me as much as I think he should. My dad also has a temper. In moments where I needed my dad to be there, he has failed to show up. But my dad is human. I love him just the same even if he has made some mistakes. I've made the same mistakes, so who am I to judge him? The problem is, in the heat of the moment when I feel like I need my dad and he isn't there in the way I need him to be, I get upset. Lately though, in those moments God has come down to meet me where I'm at and remind me that my dad is only human. God is there to remind me that my dad loves me. Not only that, it's in those moment where my heavenly Father shows me how faithful He is. One day my dad won't be here on this earth with me. That is going to break my heart, but I am confident that with Christ in me, I will get through anything. I'm so thankful for what God has given me. My life has never been easy, but God has blessed me with a kind heart and with the gift to love people regardless of circumstance. He has also given me what I need to survive. When my dad can no longer provide for his family, God will. God provides for every one of His children! Jesus, God's only child died on the cross so that you and I could experience that love forever! Sacrificing your life is probably the biggest act of love there is, and God came down in human form to do just that for every single human being on this planet!! I don't know about you, but I'd say God is a pretty awesome father!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The reality of God
Wow. It's been so long since I've blogged! I'll just dig right in.
I was thinking about how often I question what's in front of me. I've been doing that my entire life. It's like a tick. I just have to know "why"...about everything. My quest to know "why" lead to me Christ, but it has also been a constant barrier in my life. So as I thought about it, it occurred to me that if I question whats in front of me, then aren't I allowing my imagination to become a reality as well? Questioning my reality would make things like "what could have been" or "what might be" relevant. The problem with that is making those questions relevant would put me at a place where I could never be content. I think that with God in the picture, I wouldn't really need to question things like that because He is all knowing. If God is all knowing then it means that He will let me know what I need to know on His time, not mine. If I know everything the minute God did, then in theory, God wouldn't be the God that I read about in the bible. Maybe I don't even need to know what I'm questioning? Maybe the "why?" I'm asking about isn't even a question? For example, there is no question that everyone dies, so I guess that means when I ask "why did it happen?" or "when will it happen?" isn't relevant to be asking. It's not even a question at all. It's a fact. God knows why, I don't. I suppose life isn't really about the "why" as much as it's about "what is." If I made the "why" or "what could be" more important than Jesus, then I start to run into problems. I honestly think that it's unavoidable to question the things I don't understand, but from what I'm learning, it's becoming clear that the questioning should always lead me back to Jesus, the only one that knows the answers. If He isn't answering the question I'm bringing to Him when I want, it might just be because I don't need to know yet.
I think it's great to ask God questions actually because I get to end up at a place where I know that God ultimately has control of the situation. I think failing to come to that conclusion would allow my imagination to take over the situation. I think Satin takes advantage of that. Walking through life focusing on unanswered questions is a reality in my life. Doing that has caused me to miss out on some great experiences because I was focusing on the wrong thing. There is a potential lesson to be learned in literally every situation in life, and God I think God rejoices when I learn. I think Satin also rejoices when I learn though. When I'm focused on the wrong thing, then I end up learning the hard way about things. I think Satin rejoices in those situations because doors are opened up for self destructive thinking or behavior. But when I'm focused on God in everyday situations, learning life's lessons are easy. I think God loves this because I'm being obedient to His word and trusting Him. The good news in by the grace of God, Satin doesn't get total control over learning those hard lessons. Maybe Satin is the one who allows my imagination to become a reality, instead of letting my imagination be a guide that leads me towards Truth? I'm just so grateful for God and the way he allows us to learn. I'm thankful or His timing.
I was thinking about how often I question what's in front of me. I've been doing that my entire life. It's like a tick. I just have to know "why"...about everything. My quest to know "why" lead to me Christ, but it has also been a constant barrier in my life. So as I thought about it, it occurred to me that if I question whats in front of me, then aren't I allowing my imagination to become a reality as well? Questioning my reality would make things like "what could have been" or "what might be" relevant. The problem with that is making those questions relevant would put me at a place where I could never be content. I think that with God in the picture, I wouldn't really need to question things like that because He is all knowing. If God is all knowing then it means that He will let me know what I need to know on His time, not mine. If I know everything the minute God did, then in theory, God wouldn't be the God that I read about in the bible. Maybe I don't even need to know what I'm questioning? Maybe the "why?" I'm asking about isn't even a question? For example, there is no question that everyone dies, so I guess that means when I ask "why did it happen?" or "when will it happen?" isn't relevant to be asking. It's not even a question at all. It's a fact. God knows why, I don't. I suppose life isn't really about the "why" as much as it's about "what is." If I made the "why" or "what could be" more important than Jesus, then I start to run into problems. I honestly think that it's unavoidable to question the things I don't understand, but from what I'm learning, it's becoming clear that the questioning should always lead me back to Jesus, the only one that knows the answers. If He isn't answering the question I'm bringing to Him when I want, it might just be because I don't need to know yet.
I think it's great to ask God questions actually because I get to end up at a place where I know that God ultimately has control of the situation. I think failing to come to that conclusion would allow my imagination to take over the situation. I think Satin takes advantage of that. Walking through life focusing on unanswered questions is a reality in my life. Doing that has caused me to miss out on some great experiences because I was focusing on the wrong thing. There is a potential lesson to be learned in literally every situation in life, and God I think God rejoices when I learn. I think Satin also rejoices when I learn though. When I'm focused on the wrong thing, then I end up learning the hard way about things. I think Satin rejoices in those situations because doors are opened up for self destructive thinking or behavior. But when I'm focused on God in everyday situations, learning life's lessons are easy. I think God loves this because I'm being obedient to His word and trusting Him. The good news in by the grace of God, Satin doesn't get total control over learning those hard lessons. Maybe Satin is the one who allows my imagination to become a reality, instead of letting my imagination be a guide that leads me towards Truth? I'm just so grateful for God and the way he allows us to learn. I'm thankful or His timing.
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