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My Father.
I have been thinking a lot about the radicalness of Jesus calling God “Father” and “My Father”, thanks to a series of lessons that our pastor at church as been teaching on our identity in Christ.
My identity in Christ is that I am forever in covenant with God, forever the child of my father in heaven, because of that covenant relationship that I have in Him.
Calling Jawheh “Father” and “My Father” was a radical way of looking at God in Jesus’ day. Our ears are used to that term, thanks to the teachings of Jesus, but in the time that He walked the earth, this was a new teaching.
And I have been trying to consciously call Him “My Father” lately, whenever I pray. Just to remind myself that I am His, and He is mine.
So here’s my verse that I am meditating on this morning: Romans 15:13, which says:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Hope, joy, peace, all are entwined in a cord; a cord that connects our heart to our Father in heaven, in the picture that came to my mind this morning as I was thinking about that verse. Sort of like an umbilical cord, which is not a bad comparison, because real life flows through an umbilical cord. But the picture would be a little gory, as images go, so I think I’ll use the image of a cord made of strong fibers of lovely colors of silk , intertwined, wrapped around each other in a strong, rope-like cord. Each of the colors would represent the spiritual gifts that the Father has to bestow on us: the hope, the joy, and the peace. And I think the name of that cord, that connects our heart to his, might be trust.
So, I’m making a conscious decision to trust Him, with all the things that are causing me uncertainty and dread. I’m telling Him all my fears. I’m entrusting to His loving care all my yearnings. In deciding to trust Him, I’m again assenting in my mind, that, indeed, I WILL trust Him, and in that moment surrendering.
What am I surrendering? I’m surrendering MY will. (Remember Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane? “Not my will, but yours be done.”) I’m reminding myself that indeed, I am NOT the center of the universe. But I AM a beloved child of the King. And He cares about all the things MY heart cares about. And at this point in my life, if I’ve decided that I’m not the one who’s God around here, then my focus needs to change: away from myself. And upward toward my God. (Who often directs it outward, toward the people within my sphere of influence.)
Why surrender my will? Out of love for my Father. For the King, and for the Kingdom.
And the outcome of that decision, according to this verse, is the joy, and the peace, and yes, even the hope that we all need, that we all long for. These elusive qualities that bring REAL LIFE to our lives, become ours.
So, my Father, for today, for this hour, for this moment, I am going to choose to trust you. And I thank you in advance for the joy, the peace, and the hope that you provide, as I walk empowered by Your Spirit.
Robin
Tuesday 18th of May 2010
Hey you. When ya gonna do another post? This one's getting dull.
Ames
Thursday 29th of April 2010
Your last paragraph really resonates with me, Susan. It reminds me that trusting each moment is a choice, that it doesn't just happen on it's own. Sometimes I forget to trust in Him.Thanks for the reminder.
Natalie
Wednesday 28th of April 2010
Just what I needed, Susan. Thanks!