I longed to draw closer to God, to know Him better, But my progress seemed slow. Was there something in my mindset or in my experiences that was limiting my understanding of Him? God is described as our Heavenly Father. Could my relationship with my father have affected my relationship with God?
The question lodged securely in my mind. The answer arrived in an unexpected place.
Over coffee with friends, the conversation turned to memories of father-daughter dances, being treated like a princess and the fun of being a daddy’s girl. Some related that their fathers showed them what God was like, allowing them to love God more.
Familiar feelings of sadness and isolation welled up inside me. I reflected on what I had missed. Have you ever felt like that? Felt that your experiences are so different than others that you just don’t fit in?
The experience shone a spotlight on my question.
I wondered if my past was causing me to be excluded from knowing God better. My father was the best parent that he could be; however, my childhood memories were tremendously different from those of my friends. What if my relationship with him limited my relationship with God. What if it limited yours?
I realized that for me, the answer was a resounding yes. I resolved to start a journey to discover what I missed – what was God’s love really like? Would you like to join me?
I started with the key truths God wants us to find Him. He loves us.
I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me” Proverbs 8:17 (NIV)
He is not hiding or being deliberately distant. The God of the universe wants to be found. He welcomes me to search for Him. I am not excluded. What a strong starting point!
I wanted to learn more about the love of God.
The need for love beats within us, causing us to seek it in many places. I want to start with God.
The Bible tells us that God is love. 1 John 4:16 (NIV) Love is who He is! His love is vastly different from the love of any earthly father.
But what exactly is His love like?
God’s Love
God’s love is immense and deep. So much so that Paul prays for believers to grasp how wide, long, high and deep this love is.
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” Ephesians 3:17b-19 (NIV)
Can you imagine that? Love so immense that it is hard to get our minds around.
I picture myself immersed in that love. Surrounded in an ocean of love, where I never sink, because I am always buoyed up. You can be too.
God’s love is abundant. There is no need to ever worry about if there is enough to go around.
Perhaps you lived in a family where there was not enough love from your father. Perhaps he was worn out from work, or deep in a battle of addiction. Perhaps he just didn’t care. Or perhaps he never learned how to love or nurture.
With God, we do not have to wonder if the love He shows our family and friends will mean He has less for us. His love is vast, abundant; there is always more than enough.
The love of God your Father never runs out.
I remind myself of this truth during the day. Especially when I make a familiar mistake – again. Have you had that experience? Instead of visualizing God storming away in disgust, now I remind myself that His love does not run out. He still loves me even in spite of my mistakes.
“Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever” Psalm 136:26 (NIV)
Perhaps your father would take away his love if you were disobedient, or if you disappointed him. It was gone in an instant. Would it return? There was much uncertainty.
God’s love is not temporary, or transient. It is eternal. His love lasts forever.
Although we may not be able to fully understand God’s love, it is a love that we can experience. Even if we did not experience deep love as a child.
- His love is not superficial or expressed carelessly.
- It is so wide, high, and deep that it is difficult to fathom.
- The love of God does not run out. It endures forever.
How can these truths change my life? How can they change yours? I am still considering that and using them to change the way that I think and act. But they have already given me life-changing clarity.
As I understand the love of God more, I am drawn closer to Him. I believe that you will be too.
There are many more aspects of God’s love to explore together. Will you join me next time?
But before you go, which part of God’s love is most different from your father’s? How will you use this in your life to draw closer to God? You can leave your comment below. I am looking forward to seeing what you think.
Photo credits: Andrew Seaman on Unsplash, & Mike Kenneally on Unsplash