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One Father, Who Is In Heaven |Strength #4|

Updated: Aug 2, 2021


A few years ago, when I first became a Christian I spoke with a pastor in a Church about my journey. I was sharing to them how much Christ has done for me and that I never really deserved His grace. I told them that I felt a calling that maybe if God willing that I may go into a theological seminary one day... and did you know how they responded? It wasn't "wow that's great. Pray about it first, ok?" or something like "Christ's grace is truly remarkable" or anything along those lines... the first response was: "that sounds like an idea, but don't forget that you're not exactly young anymore." Ouch.

Looking back now, I realized that not everyone in Church may have experienced 'true grace' or have a personal encounter with Jesus. Or that not everyone in the physical local Church is a true believer. Now I'm not saying this pastor was not a believer. That's not the point. What I am saying though is: the concept of grace isn't something you can choose or accept. Grace is receiving something you sure as heck don't deserve. Grace is experiencing a divine mercy through Jesus Christ from knowing that you've done so much crap in your life that nothing else besides Him may redeem you.... and you know what? That's the topic for today's post. The concept of grace and our true Father.

Grace

Growing up, I've always subconsciously learnt that I needed to be "good". Don't do drugs, go to Church, get good grades, etc. To work my way up into society, and even higher into the graces of God to go into Heaven. And yet; can someone be truly good? Or in my case, I thought I was pretty good. I had a good job, I didn't do drugs or was in a gang or anything like that, and a model citizen. And yet, my life changed when "my goodness" was challenged as I listened to a sermon by Dr. Steven Lawson. It wasn't so much about the words, but the whole delivery invoked my heart. For the first time in my life, someone was able to "see" through all the façade I put up. All my caveats and insecurities were all laid bare. I realized. I am far from God's perfection. I have wronged Him. And yet as my life flashed before me, as I saw how Christ has protected me all this time. Or as Adam Smith jokingly might refer to the economic term as "the invisible hand." Jesus was and is always there, teaching me, loving me, guarding me.. hidden until now I see. The thing that strikes me was that even as I kept rejecting Christ over and over again. Even through the years of battling and saying "no".. I can't imagine the pain I have inflicted upon Christ who loved me so. In that moment I felt remorse yet also inexplicably touched. My heart realized how faithful He always is. Despite it all. God is all powerful, yet why would He love someone as wretched as me?

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 😭🕊

After years off inner conflicts, after I was saved I admitted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I realized how precious this jewel called grace is. Never quick. Nor too late. Arriving in His perfect time as always. In essence. It is a gift from God, it's not something I can "do" or "earn", it is justified through Faith that solely came from Him.

 

our true Father

A few days ago, I started to read Luke 2 off the excerpt named "Jesus Presented at the Temple." It starts with Jesus as a child going into the temple to do a purification according to the Law of Moses. It was here that Jesus met Simeon:

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, Luke 2:25-27 🕊️

Simeon had a great promise given to him. That he would see the Lord's Christ before his death. What a great honor! And so, upon finally meeting Jesus, Simeon prayed this prayer that captivated me so:

he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32 🤲🌟🎺

In that moment. As if there was an unknown peace that enveloped me. Tears. Started flowing. It didn't stop. I don't know how to describe it. There is this sudden gush of love, peace, and tranquility. I felt at ease, and complete. A union in Christ through the Holy Spirit. I felt as if there was a radiance and warmth of a hug so great. That God is with me. Reading Simeon's prayer and blessing to God brought me back to my first encounter of grace. Reliving the emotions off my first encounter with Christ. The Word suddenly came alive again (no. I am not exaggerating).


O Lord my God, thank You for hearing the prayers of my Dad. 😭. He was always a quiet and stoic man. He might have known You for a short time in his life. Yet hearing Simeon's prayer resonated deeply inside me...😭 My Dad like Simeon prayed earnestly in knowing that his time was short. Thank You for giving my Dad depart in peace in knowing You. My Dad like Simeon saw Your salvation through Jesus Christ who is the light for revelation to the Jews and the Gentiles. And I am confident in believing that my Dad implored his heart out in prayer day everyday off his life to trust in Your providence to bring his family to return to Jesus once more.... Tens and tens of years after his death and now even at this age writing in remembrance, I am humbled, my body trembling by Your Providence Lord. 😰. Crying in tears of joy, at Your grace. I can't help but stand in awe of Your majesty. How O Lord have You intricately woven each story is unknown to me. And through it all,.. thank You Jesus.


So how does all this connect to the concept off our true Father?

It connects as how tens of years after my Dad has passed away, his absence was a blessing in disguise. I missed having my Dad.. Someone I can talk too and confide in. Growing up, I felt as there was something missing. I can't understand other kids. I needed to grow up faster than others around me. I wondered and even questioned why? God would do such a thing... Hmm. Fast forward today, I finally understand.

And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Matthew 23:9 👨‍👦

My Dad's death and absence gave an opportunity for me to really know who my true Father is. My relationship with God has been a series of contention and fights. Me as a small boy challenging a God so great. And yet at the end off the day God won me over. Just like how Jacob contended, God's overwhelming love has conquered my heart.



Waking up today, I realized what it truly means having a relationship with my Father in Heaven. It's not just about reading the Bible, doing what God says, or only about living a Holy life. It is so so so much more than that. I can pray and talk about anything. Accepted. Without the fear of judgment, and enjoying a real relationship.


He is my Father is having my Lord, my Savior, my confidant, my trust, my best friend, my God who has been with me through all the good and bad times,... my everything. I really can't describe it with words. If only you can see my tears right now. Haha. It's just phenomenal that a God so so great. A God that in every sense should have abandoned me who keeps challenging Him. And yet a God who now has shown me His grace.


My Father in Heaven...

Who I can talk to. Ask anything. Share my insecurities and fear.

My Father in whom always rebukes and scolds at me.

My Father in Heaven who gives me dreams I mostly don't understand.

My Father who encourages me when I'm down.

My Father who gives me peace and gratitude in all things.

My Father who IS..... who He IS. Perfect.

 

Reflection

Dear Lord, my Father in Heaven... I magnify You and Your glory. I don't think there are enough synonyms off praise to describe You! I mean it. Lord. You have been everything and more and more and so much more than anything I can imagine. You have and always been enough. You complete me then as You do now.


Thank You for giving me a second chance in a life. I just find it so ironic and uncanny that I can continue the life and walk my Dad first started in our family in knowing Christ as His Savior...

My Dad only had a few years left, but I believe that is more than enough. Just like how in the parable "Laborers in the Vineyard" the master of the house chose to hire some laborers at the eleventh hour. I saw how my Dad's role just like Simeon and like Anna played a role at the last moments they each had before they were called to return to Heaven. To knowing You Jesus at a personal level is a blessing. To know that one day You will be:


a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and for glory to your people Israel.”


And isn't that always enough? To be apart of Your Kingdom story is the epitome off success. Lord please help me today to use my talents, my time, my health, my thought, my whole life for Your glory. I always think that my Dad started the journey for us, now it's time for his kids to continue it... Please guide me Father in Heaven, and lead me. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.



Updated on:

February 16, 2021 | August 2, 2021


Credits:

Father 📷 Derek Thomson

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