Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Monday, September 19, 2016

We are focusing on getting to know God from the perspective of John the beloved.

Today’s Scripture Focus: “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9).

I can remember the day I found out I was going to father a boy child. While most men would have celebrated the fact, I was stunned. It was not that his conception was unwanted. My wife and I waited ten years into our marriage and finally planned our family. Our little guy was not unexpected. What I did not expect was the extreme emotional response to the news of his sex. For years I dreamed of having a girl. I envisioned a tiny little version of her mommy whom I would shower with love and affection. I wanted to look into her pretty little eyes and tell her how beautiful she is. I wanted to tell her that she reminds me so much of her mommy and that she should watch her every move, so she could learn how a little lady should be. But, when I learned I would have a mini-me, the pressure was overwhelming. In that moment, every bad habit, toxic thought, and past sin, seemed to stare me in the face. It is not that I would not love our boy. I realize that my view of my father must have been off. Somehow, although I am a Bible teacher, preacher, author, and blah, blah, blah, I had allowed my human concept of fatherhood to overbear God’s ideal for me.

So many men, like me, have suffered beneath the burden of horrible father-son relationships. And the outcomes are manifested in so many undesirable ways. Mistreatment of women, promiscuity, substance abuse, poor self-worth, violence, and many other maladaptive behaviors threaten the survival of our children. These manifestations skew our concept of a loving heavenly Father. Conversely, if we participate in the healing God intends for us, we can begin to love like our Father does.

The Bible says that, “God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him” (1 John 4:9, NLT). Our heavenly Father did not sit up in heaven and watch us wallow in sin without hope, like so many deadbeat dads have. Our heavenly Father does not close His ears to our cries, like so many dads who seldom listen to their children. Our heavenly Father did not search for some secret back door to escape responsibility for us. No! Our Father saw our hopeless condition and gave His very best Gift, in order to provide a way to live with Him forever.

After I got over my initial emotional response to the news about our son, I recommitted myself to breaking the cycle of poor fathering. I committed myself to shattering the misconception of God, poor fathering engenders. The Lord has helped me embrace our little guy with the love He has shown me. I love to hear him call my name. I love to see the excitement in his face when I buy him a chintzy little toy from the pharmacy that he will single-handedly destroy in a few days. I love when he enjoys eating the same foods I love to eat. I love how he wants to jump me, climb, and snuggle. He freely gives love to his father. Now, his father knows better how to love. Our God has mysterious ways of giving us His best. Through love, He gave the world His Son. Through love, he gave our family a son. I cannot say I understand this blessing of love our Father gives, but I sure am happy He does. Ask the Lord to reveal a lesson of His love to you today. I’m enjoying mine.

For further study, consider: (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. 15:28; John 3:16; 1 John 4:8; 1 Tim. 1:17; Ex. 34:6, 7; John 14:9.) —L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)