You may not care, but a guy by the name of Justin Rose won the Memorial golf tournament yesterday. It was his first win on US soil (he's English, I think). I didn't really watch hardly any of it, but I happened to turn to it when he was walking off the 18th green to be greeted by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus. And then by his wife and his son. He held his little boy up in the air, absolutely beaming, and his kid immediately broke out in a round of applause for his dad. Which only made Justin Rose smile that much bigger. Apparently I was the only one who thought it was cool, because I can't find a picture of it this morning...but what a proud moment as a dad. I can't wait for moments like those.
And I was thinking about how his son really has no idea that his dad is an international golf star and celebrity. That he's a really big deal. All he knows is that he loves his dad, and that's all that really matters. Think of him putting the pieces together as he gets older and starts realizing just how amazing his dad is.
This morning, I was reading in a Joshua Harris book called "Dug Down Deep" where he was talking about God being our father. "When God saves us, he doesn't merely forgive us or ransom us from sin; he adopts us (Ephesians 1:4-5). In love, he makes us his children. He grants us all the rights and privileges of natural-born children."
I think it's this father aspect of God that helps me understand Him the most. I was fortunate enough to grow up with an amazing father, so this is maybe easier for me than for some of you reading this. I have a dad that I absolutely want to emulate. One that taught me what unconditional love looks like.
Keeping in mind that God took me in as an adopted son helps me realize 2 things.
- He loves me the way a real dad does. Unconditionally. God says to us: "I love you right now. You have a relationship with me that isn't changed by your performance. I am you dad. You are my son. Nothing can change that. I love you. I am always your Father." This helps a lot when you feel like a schmuck for screwing up. It's good to know that our dad just wants what's best for us...that He may be really disappointed or even angry because of some stupid act of rebellion on our part, but He'll never stop loving us.
- My relationship with Him isn't about keeping a list of rules. I do what He says out of love and respect and trust. Because He knows more than me and wants the best for me. "Turning away from sin isn't about what I'm not allowed to do. I don't want what displeases my father. I want to love what he loves. How can I take joy in what grieves the One who has loved me with an everlasting love? I'm not trying to live up to some church standard or self-imposed standard. The truth of God's adopting love for me means I'm not obeying to get into his family or even to stay in the club. I obey because I'm already in. I'm family. There's incredible safety in that."
I don't think we really have any clue just how big our Dad is. We think we know...but we can't really grasp His fame or power. But as I grow up, I'm beginning to understand just how special and enormous He is. It makes me want to brag that I'm His kid. That He adopted ME. And I want to shout to world that if they're looking to be taken in by the ultimate loving Father, He's ready and waiting with arms wide open. No strings attached.
All I know that I love my Dad, and that's all that really matters. I think I'll just sit back and applaud, knowing that He's beaming simply at the thought of me being His kid...even if I don't understand just how amazing He really is.
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June 11, 2010 at 12:17 PM
Hello Jeremiah;
I really got alot out of this post.
Thank you
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