Included in the worship service at my church, last Sunday was an interpretive dance of the Lord’s Prayer or as it is also called–the “Our Father” prayer. It was so beautifully done! Tears flowed down my face as I watched the dancer and listened to the music and lyrics. In my memory, I was a child again, sitting in a tiny country church with my parents and grandparents. Yet, there was a difference between the feeling that I had back then and the feeling that I had last Sunday.
Back then, I did not realize the depth of love that my Father-God had for me. Back then, I did not pray with the confident expectation that I talked about in last week’s blog post. Back then, I did not feel very much connected to him. Sadly, my heart contained more fear than love–more distrust than faith.
On my morning walk along the lakeshore one day this week, my thoughts were suddenly interrupted by very loud peeping; Looking up, I saw a young osprey peering over the edge of its nest, which was located on top of a high telephone pole. As I continued to watch, its parent flew close to the nest. I thought this bird was going to enter the nest; instead, it flew over the nest. The young bird flapped its large wings but did not move out of the nest. This happened several times. To me it was a beautiful illustration of God’s fatherly patience.
By sending Jesus, he demonstrated to us what it looks like to fly; now, by sending the Holy Spirit, he gives us the power to fly. Yet, he does not kick us out of our nest. With patience, he watches the attempts we make to flap our wings, and with kindness he encourages us to persevere.
As you pray this week, I invite you to meditate on the following Psalm and to ask the Holy Spirit to give you a deeper and personal understanding of Our Father’s love.
The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 He will not constantly accuse us,
nor remain angry forever.
10 He does not punish us for all our sins;
he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14 For he knows how weak we are;
he remembers we are only dust.
15 Our days on earth are like grass;
like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
16 The wind blows, and we are gone—
as though we had never been here.
17 But the love of the Lord remains forever
with those who fear him.
Psalm 103: 8-17 NLT
I SO needed this!! I have been weighed down by the guilt and shame of my sin. I am a born-again Believer and I know Jesus has already paid the price but I’ve always seen Him as a Judge more than a merciful Father. Much like the father I had growing up. Don’t get me wrong, I had a wonderful Christian father who showed more of the angry/just side of God than his merciful/loving side. I’ve been in the grips of sin lately and when I am, I’m constantly holding my breath waiting for his hand of discipline to come crashing down. Perhaps I need to bask in his mercy that is new every morning instead of living in what’s MORE than a holy fear of Him. Thank you so much sharing this. I have been blessed indeed!
Thank you, April, for sharing your struggle so honestly. I know that many people can identify with you. I’m so thankful that the Lord used what I wrote to encourage you and make his mercy more real to you.
I love reading these. You are well gifted. Thanks for always being such a blessing!
I’m thankful, Dawn, that God has allowed me to bless you.And thank you for affirming me in my gifting.
What a perfect illustration, Jane! And beautiful words on our expectancy with God! His love casts out all fear!
Thank you for your affirming and encouraging comment, Diane!
Jane, what a gifted writer that you are!! Thank you so much for blessing us!
MaryLou, Thanks for your encouragement and prayers.