😎🐫🎤 Fear of God. That’s a saying I just can’t seem to wrap my brain around. Growing up I learned respect for those of authority and power in my life and that’s how I experience God. A friend and authority in my life that I respect, not a deity that “demands” my respect or fear. He is such a loving Father, Brother and Spirit. Why would/should I fear Him? As an adult and parent, one of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that we can’t always fix or takeaway our child’s trials, pain, and hurt. Sometimes we have to allow them to fall, based on their own choices and it flat out hurts to watch them suffer. But just because I don’t jump in to make everything better doesn’t mean I’m punishing my child for their unwise choices. In my humble ability to love, I know that God’s love for us is to a depth that I can’t even fathom, which tells me that the depth of hurt He feels for us when we turn away from Him, make unwise choices and struggle to find our way back to Him is heartbreaking. Just because God doesn’t jump in to “save” us (He already did that once) doesn’t mean He’s punishing us. We punish ourselves enough. God doesn’t need or want to punish us. The pain and scars we choose to carry come with a price. And that price is separation from the love of our Heavenly Father. Every second we focus on and hold those scars close is a moment we choose distance from the love of our Father. As you reach your arms toward and walk/run to The Father, you will find that those hurts and pains you’ve been holding so tightly to will fall to the ground behind you. Every second you choose joy with The Father is a thousand times better than a second in bitterness, pain, or anger. Choose joy in the presence and arms of our Lord and Savior. Bless others and be blessed.
#ForKing&Country – Joy
Third Day Devotions 