Someone, somewhere said something about seeking the Father’s heart. Asking Him for it. As soon as I heard that I knew, “That’s what I’m supposed to do. I need to do that.” So I did. Turns out, it’s not an easy ask!
“Father, give me Your heart.”
Are you sure? My heart comes with my emotions. Historically, you’re not a fan of those.
“Father, give me Your heart.”
Ok, but that means I’m going to give you a taste of the way I love people. It means you’ll be completely, 100% invested in them. You’ll want to pursue them relentlessly. There’s nothing you won’t want to do for them – to the point where it hurts you. It means you’ll pour out everything for them and, in a lot of cases, get nothing in return.
“Father, give me Your heart.”
Ok, but that means you get a taste of my pain. I’ll highlight for you the brokenness that’s constantly around you. The brokenness that this world wasn’t created to experience. Usually you overlook it, but I’ll make sure you don’t. I’ll let you into a piece of what I see every day that grieves my heart.
“Father, give me Your heart.”
Ok. Remember all those nice things people said about you? That you have good stuff to give away and have impacted their lives? All that stuff that made you feel uncomfortable? The stuff that you often brush off because you devalue yourself? Remember that feeling of ‘Awe’ that you had when you realized that people see value in you? I see that in you. That’s the Father’s Pride I have in a child who follows where I lead. You get to feel that too when you lead people where I tell you to take them.
“Father, give me Your heart.”
Ok. Remember that person you really want to invest in and walk through life with, but they don’t want much to do with you right now? Swallow your pride and get over yourself. Trust that other people have amazing stuff to give away, too. Entrust others to lead the people you love. That’s what I do every day.
“Father, give me Your heart.”
Ok. You know that group of people you’re with who love you a lot? You know how you feel completely unnecessary to the group sometimes? Unwanted even? Excluded? I feel that way with my people pretty frequently. Yeah, it hurts when I experience it too.
“Father, give me Your heart.”
Ok. You know that selfishness you’re sitting in right now? Feel the weight of it. Realize that it’s for that simple sin that Jesus needed to go to the cross. Weep over it.
“Father, give me Your heart.”
…..to be continued
The Father’s heart is a mystery, but I have seen glimpses of it over the last two months that I’ve never even considered before. There’s so much joy in it and so much grief. So much love with so much pain. You cannot separate the two.
Someone spoke over me the other day that, “Holy Spirit is going to mess you up.” He’s already started, but I pray this is only the beginning.
