“So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught…May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17 The Message
I think this can be said of anyone ever born on this earth, but life doesn?t come easy for me. Neither does Life. I know, you?re asking, huh? Considering only our flesh, we struggle against responsibility, career, finances, government, even traffic on a day-to-day basis. But that struggle is not the true battle. ?Life? on the other hand, is a gift given freely to us through the mercy of the Cross, yet sometimes we as Christians fight so hard against the true source of Life, help, confidence, etc. We?re in a massive spiritual war, fighting against darkness and evil (The Bible says so!) I have suffered from severe self-esteem issues for many years…I?ve sought various forms of approval, acceptance and acknowledgement from many worldly sources whether person or object. Yet, God is my true Father. He loves me because HE made me. To break it down Georgia-boy style, God don?t make no junk! Where do you seek your fulfillment or confidence? I?ve taken the wrong turn so many times yet, God continues to walk down the straight path, telling me that His yoke or His way is easy, the burden is light.
Seek your fulfillment in Him, seek your confidence and self-assurance in Him. Your earthly father may have been a great or terrible, but there is only one true Father that loves you unconditionally.
As a side note to fathers, there is no more important relationship your children can have than with their fathers. You are to be their earthly picture of the heavenly Father. I never understood this fully until I became a father myself. I struggle day-to-day to be the Father my son and daughter need me to be. I cannot imagine loving anyone more, yet the heavenly Father loves them even more…and He loves YOU even more than your earthly father possibly could. Try to fathom that…a loving hug or pat on the back from your Dad…That?s what God offers you constantly, without fail or fatigue. He is ever present, ever faithful…I don?t know about you, but that is an amazing comfort and relief.
