Prefacing this story, I recently I read a book called “From Spiritual Slavery To Spiritual Sonship” by Jack Frost which blew my mind about how God actually thinks of me. Even more so, I was amazed at how terribly I think of God. The book challenged me to truly see God as a Heavenly Father, who actually cares for me like the most perfect father would. It also challenged me to stop seeing myself as an orphan, having to please God to be loved, fend for myself, and make things happen to survive. With no exaggeration, the biblical principles the book made plain for me changed my life. After reading through it with my brother, I quickly bought the follow-up book “Experiencing Father’s Embrace” which goes into more detail on how we can experience God as Father, as opposed to a slave owner we are trying to please. This book is challenging me to daily, even hourly, rest in God’s love and our relationship. It’s already bearing fruit. Let me tell my story.
Two weeks ago I attended something called “Project Searchlight” which is somewhat of a re-entry training/processing seminar for people coming off of the World Race and going back into the regular world. Honestly, I really just wanted to see my squad mates one more time, but boy did I get a LOT more there that I am seriously thankful for! During that time, in a one-on-one session of sorts, someone challenged me to ask God when I began to fend for myself, not allowing Him to provide for me. I instantly remembered a painful memory from my childhood. The person then challenged me to ask God where He was when that happened, and when I did, instantly I was in the room and I could see/feel the presence of Jesus/God/Holy Spirit hovering just in the corner of the room with hands out, inviting me to run into His arms for safety and comfort. Instead, I watched myself stand up and walk out where I found other unhealthy ways to cope with my pain. It was like watching a movie where I could see negative character development start, but it was in myself! I could feel the sadness from God at my choice to pass Him by, but no judgement. The person then led me in a prayer where I denounced my own ways of coping with pain, and allowed God to start being that for me. Healing had begun! Keep reading, because it’s not over.
So a week later some good friends of mine bought me a ticket to visit them for a few weeks in Washington State. On the plane ride up, I began reading the second book “Experiencing Father’s Embrace”. In one of the chapters, it gave a practical activity in doing just that. Basically, we should be always in a state of resting in God’s love, be it at work or wherever. One way, from the book, to do that is simply to ask Him “How can I, in this moment and this hour, rest in your love and experience your embrace?” So what did I do? I put the book down and did just that. Immediately He brought to mind several painful memories and situations from the past that made me feel helpless, rejected, unwanted, hurt, and alone. Included in the memories was the first one where I had asked where He was at the time. He then imprinted Himself upon every memory, in the corner like before, inviting me to run into His embrace. He said “Come to Me”, and I could feel that He wanted to redeem those for me. So I did like any child who trusts his Father to be good and trustworthy; I ran into His arms as each memory played back in my mind’s eye, and just like that I felt each wound sealing up in my heart one by one. I mean stuff from elementary, middle, and high school; even things I didn’t even remember until He brought it up. All brought up, all sealed, all healed. When I opened my eyes again, I had the hugest smile on my face and I was weeping tears of joy. I was filled with such a feeling of peace, joy, and love, that I had to restrain myself from turning to the woman beside me and giving her a huge hug just because GOD IS SO GOOD! I mean all of this happened because I took the time to seek rest in God’s love. The past which plagued me was being redeemed, and it was being made as if it never happened so negatively. In fact, the love I needed was being displayed because of it! It took no more than 5 minutes, but so much good was done in my heart! That’s the kind of return my Father gives! If 5 minutes on a plane did that, can you imagine what more He has planned for us? Not just me and Him, but you and Him too!
God is not waiting to judge you, He is waiting for you to accept His Love for you, and rest in it like children naturally rest in a good father’s embrace. God created the concept of fatherhood; He is the first and best father ever. Try this out, listen for Him, seek His arms then jump up in them and rest as the apple of His eye. You are His happy thought, and with the right view of Him, He will become yours as well. Does this sound like the kind of relationship you wish to have? Are you resting in your relationship with God in this way? Sound off in the comments!
