COMMITTED FATHER

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

With yesterday being Father’s Day I was reminded of this little entry/snippet from Max Lucado I had come across some time ago.

Running Away From The Father - by Max Lucado

When I was seven years old, I ran away from home.

I'd had enough of my father's rules and decided I could make it on my own, thank you very much. With my clothes in a paper bag, I stormed out the back gate and marched down the alley.

Like the prodigal son, I decided I needed no father. Unlike the prodigal son, I didn't go far. I got to the end of the alley and remembered I was hungry, so I went back home.

But though the rebellion was brief, it was rebellion nonetheless. And had you stopped me on that prodigal path between the fences and asked me who my father was, I just might have told you how I felt. I just might have said, "I don't need a father. I'm too big for the rules of my family. It's just me, myself and my paper bag."

I don't remember saying that to anyone, but I remember thinking it. And I also remember rather sheepishly stepping in the back door and taking my seat at the supper table across from the very father I had, only moments before, disowned.

Did he know of my insurrection? I suspect he did. Did he know of my denial? Dads usually do. Was I still his son? Apparently so. (No one else was sitting in my place.)

Had you gone to my father after you had spoken to me and asked, "Mr. Lucado, your son says he has no need of a father. Do you still consider him your son?" What would my dad have said?

I don't have to guess at his answer.

He called himself my father even when I didn't call myself his son.

His commitment to me was greater than my commitment to him.

I didn't hear the rooster crow like Peter did. I didn't feel the fish belch like Jonah did. I didn't get a robe and a ring and sandals like the prodigal did. But I learned from my father on earth what those three learned from their Father in heaven.

Our God is no fair-weather Father. He's not into this love-'em-and-leave-'em-stuff. I can count on him to be in my corner no matter how I perform. You can, too.

As we enter a new week what can we take away from both that day yesterday that HONORED FATHER’s and from Lucado?

It is pretty obvious. 

GOD’S commitment to us IS so much GREATER than our commitment to Him.  

Thank GOODNESS! 

I know that while I often talk a good game, my COMMITMENT to the Father often wanes.  My behavior often doesn’t reflect word COMMITMENT.  Often if someone were to watch me in action, they would have to question how “committed” I am to this whole Pastor proposition let alone being a "son".

But GOD continues to love me; stay committed.

The Sidewalk Prophets articulate it beautifully and poetically.

I am a thorn in Your crown

But You love me anyway

I am the sweat from Your brow

But You love me anyway

I am the nail in Your wrist

But You love me anyway

I am Judas’ kiss

But You love me anyway

So it is true and both they and Lucado hit the nail on the head.

We don’t have a FAIR WEATHER Father, a love and leave ‘em parent but rather a deeply and passionately committed Father who LOVES US anyway.  

See for yourself.

2 Timothy 2:13 ESV - If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

1 Corinthians 1:9 ESV - God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 86:15 ESV - But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Have a blessed day... 

I love you all.

Opportunities for Hope (Champions Charge)