He Loves Us

If God loves us, why does it sometimes seem like He doesn’t? I’ve written a short story to give a miniscule glimpse to one aspect of that question.

A father and his young adult child are out for a drive. Top down, the wind whipping around them, laughter, bonding, feeling truly free. The dad loves going out with his child, and would never miss out on the time, even if the child is prioritizing the wrong things. He does give the occasional warning, that he knows will be ignored, but his love for his child forces him to speak up.  

What feels like out of nowhere, the dad grabs the steering wheel, and forces them to crash. The child absolutely indignant at the wreckage caused by their father (to be debated who it was really caused by), burns with accusation, confusion, sadness. As the child is laying there in pain, screaming why, the father reminds them that over that hill was a train, and it would have completely annihilated them, and it it was actually his love that forced him to stop the car causing the present suffering. There wasn't going to be a second chance if he allowed it to continue unchecked.

The young adult gets a new car, and they need to decide whether they really want their father along for the drive. I believe that's the eternal question we're all asking ourselves. Do we really want the love of our Father guiding us, messing with our lives when we have our priorities out of order, giving us repeated chances at a new life with Him in Christ? Or do we want to live life our way, on our terms, making the most of every minute we have in the best way we believe we should?  

I don't judge anybody who makes the choice to live the life they want to, with no regard to how they were created, choosing instead to be the kindness they want to see in this world, and living their best life how they know how. That said, I desire everyone to experience the love of their Father in heaven, in a way that overwhelms them, and leaves them wrecked for the ordinary. The only way to have that, is to truly follow Jesus Christ, not only believing in Him as even the demons do, but listening to Him in every aspect of their lives. 

All idols must be tossed away. Is your idol finances? Is your idol numbing out to life? Is your idol fun? Is your idol self? Is your idol your appetite? Is your idol the intel you have from the secret place? Is your idol your intelligence? I'll tell you right now I've got more work to do in a couple of these. 

We need to not justify our self-righteousness, unforgiveness, hatred, criticism, indulgence, while we have an opinion on everything we discern to be ungodly. For the Lord our God, is in the process of sanctifying us, and that refiner's fire hurts. We need to pay attention to what we really believe about Him, when our lives don't seem to match.

For me and my household, we will serve the Lord. I pray that each one of us take the time to develop the intimacy and hearing the Lord clearly, so thar we have already given Him the wheel, and can trust in His provision where He leads us. But, if not, Jesus take the wheel and help me to leave it in Your loving hands.

P.S. this is not at all implying every bad thing we go through in life is the Lord's discipline. Life absolutely happens. We experience numerous unjust things.