How can we truly
understand how much
Creator wants to be with us?
It’s amazing how much
He longs for us.
It is kinda mind blowing!
He has genuine love
for every person
because He created us all.
We tend to love what we create,
maybe more so when we are little:
“Look, Mommy,
I made you a picture!”
says our 5-year-old self,
so happy to share.
The moment is not marred
by perfectionism (yet).
The kid doesn’t look at the picture
and point out
all the flaws and mistakes.
The kid doesn’t compare
his picture with others.
He is happy to share it
with his favorite people!
And he enjoyed
the process of creating!
Think about
a man and a woman
coming together
out of love and trust.
They create a baby together.
When they see
that baby for the first time,
their hearts are hooked
to their baby’s heart.
They want to be with their baby,
to marvel over
ten tiny toes and ten tiny fingers.
To rejoice over every new thing:
a first smile, rolling over, first steps!
Love and delight–
that’s what pours out.
And yes, not every parent experiences that joy.
Maybe life has been too hard
or worries about money or
depression or addiction
make parenting hard and painful.
But even with all the hard stuff,
parents tend to love their kids.
Let’s go back to Creator.
He has this genuine love
for His creation,
including each of us humans.
And just like us with our babies,
He longs to be loved back by us.
We don’t want to see
our kids push us away or ignore us.
We love it when
they want to be with us.
Creator is like that, too.
He yearns for the people He created
to want Him, too.
He goes out, seeking us,
like a shepherd
searches for a lost sheep
and rejoices
when the sheep is found,
saying to everyone around:
“Rejoice with me!
This sheep of mine
was lost
but now is found!”
He searches for us
when we are lost,
when we turn away from Him,
when we snub Him
and go our own way.
BUT when He finds us
and when we turn
back towards Him,
even if scared
we’ve disappointed Him
by rejecting or leaving Him–
Awaiting us is He!
AND HE RUNS TO MEET US.
And when we are bowed down
and wanting to hide in shame
over what we’ve done
or what has been done to us,
He stands us back up,
straight, and lifts our chin,
so we are no longer
bowed down with shame.
And He says,
“Rejoice with me!
You were lost,
but now you are found!
You are My daughter.
You are My son.”
Not only does Creator rejoice,
but He throws a party,
inviting family and friends
to rejoice over
the son that was lost
but now is FOUND,
the daughter that was dead
but now is ALIVE!
Have you, like me, been lost?
If you are,
I bet you expect rejection
for the things you have done
that are not right.
I bet you expect condemnation
for the many ways
you have hurt and
perhaps harmed others.
But here’s the amazing thing–
when we turn back towards
our Creator,
telling Him the things
we have done wrong,
He is waiting and wanting
to see you–
He’s running to meet you,
arms wide open,
joy in His person,
tears running down his face.
People don’t always know
how to forgive,
But Not So with Creator.
He longs to be with you.
He yearns for your company.
Turn to Him
or turn back to Him –
Whichever is the case for you –
Turn! Turn back!
He’s ready. He’s waiting.
And He’s gonna throw
a big party
with His angels in heaven
when you turn to Him.
Not all people
will believe you
when you turn back
to Creator.
Some people might think
you are faking it.
Some expect you to fail.
Many don’t know how to forgive,
and can’t imagine being forgiven.
But this is my prayer and hope –
For me and for you
(when we’ve lost our way)
that Creator
would provide a handful of people
that would rejoice with Him and us
when we’ve been brave enough,
courageous enough,
to turn back to Him.
We can tell Him all about it–
the pain, the suffering,
the shame over
what we’ve done and not done.
And, somehow, still–
His arms are open wide,
ready and waiting!
I’ve got a picture
in my mind
of a six-month-old baby,
upset and crying loudly.
She doesn’t have any words yet,
but she has tears and an upset face.
She is pouring it out
to her family.
She has a complaint,
she has a need!
Like that baby,
we get to come to Creator
and pour it all out
in words, in tears,
in anger, in shame.
(Just like Jesus poured it all out
in the garden…)
And Creator’s right here,
ready to hear it all
as He welcomes us
(back) into his family.
Turn or turn back!
To Him who loves you
more than you could imagine–
more than you can dare hope!
Turn back, I say!
Do it now!
Don’t delay!
He awaits your company!
He longs for your friendship!
He’s the lifter of your head.
NO LONGER DO YOU NEED
TO LIVE IN SHAME.
The End
A Thought:
When I am worried and preoccupied, I get stuck in analysis and can forget to go to Creator with a difficult situation as I try to figure it out by myself. I appreciate it when I return to my senses and go to Creator. He never meant for us to slog through the problems of life alone, as if we had no Creator available to help us.
An Activity:
Draw your journey of walking away from Creator or towards Creator (many of us have gone back and forth). Tell Creator where you are today (He knows, but He likes us to talk with Him). If turning away, would you like to turn or turn back to Him? Is there something keeping you from walking to Him? Tell Him all about it and ask for His help. Consider sharing where you are at with a friend.
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