Today’s blog is written by Jonathan Hickory. Read as he shares about how God pursues us as children and what it means to be a child of God.
My beloved son turns two years old in a few days. Lately, he loves to play a game with me where he will run tirelessly through the endless grass in our backyard, looking back to see if I am running after him. He has no direction, he has no destination, but he knows he is running from me. To his delight, I pursue him, his little legs moving as fast as they can while my pace remains even, steady, and unwavering.
“Chase me, Daddy! Chase me!” he giggles with glee as his blonde hair reflects the warm sunlight. As he looks backwards, sometimes he stumbles and sometimes he tumbles, only to have me leap on top of him and sweep him up into my arms, embracing him with unsurpassable joy and endless love. We laugh together and I find myself overjoyed to share in his laughter and wonder.
How often do we, as children of God, run from our Heavenly Father? How often do we pursue worldly things—money, family, success, prideful ambitions, lust, greed, addictions—instead of pursuing our Creator? Though we do not realize it, as we pursue these things as a priority over our faith, we wander and we wonder, as God continues to lovingly pursue our hearts.
How can we begin to understand this pursuit? Why would God waste His time with a heart that is not only pursuing worldly meaninglessness, but often times running from Him at the same time? Let’s take a moment to explore God’s desire for His children.
You are created in God’s image — YOU are one of God’s children! “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” -Genesis 1:27
Just as we love our children, God loves His children dearly and He desperately wants a close relationship with you. Jesus said, “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” -Matthew 18:12-14
Our vulnerable young children trust their parents and they seek their father for protection from the dark and the dangers of the world — the nightmare, the vicious snarling dog, and crossing the busy street safely. God wants you to trust fully in Him and seek Him for protection from evil. “The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.” -Psalm 121:6-7
Our children rely on us for provision of food, clothing, and shelter. God wants you to trust in Him for provision; He will faithfully provide for you! Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” -Matthew 10:29-31
Our children need and love their father, desiring relationship with him, just as you need Jesus in your heart in order to seek a genuine relationship with God. “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” -Jeremiah 29:13
Just as we want the very best for our children, yet know the value of discipline, God wants the very best for His children, and will lovingly discipline when needed. “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.’ It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. -Hebrews 12:5-11
Have you ever thought about your relationship with God in this way? Your relationship with God is not a friendship, it is not a mutually beneficial business relationship, and it is not an arrangement where you get to call the shots — you are a child of our Sovereign God and you are created in His image. He is a good Father and He wants what is best for His children — that’s you and me! But a good and loving Father will also lovingly pursue and discipline the wayward child.
Reflection
God’s pursuit of our hearts is something I am incredibly grateful for. If God had not pursued you, where would you be right now? Have you ever looked back on the hard times in your life, the times before you were walking with the Lord—and realized how He was chasing after you, yearning to sweep you into His arms and embrace you? Are you walking with God, and is He convicting your heart to draw you closer to Him? Or are you still running from Him? If you are not seeking God every day with every facet of your life, you better believe He is pursuing you. If you once were one of His lost sheep and the Good Shepherd found you, praise Him today and forevermore!
Prayer
Almighty Father, You are our Good Father, and I am grateful for your pursuit of my heart. Lord, guide my path and help me to seek you first in all that I do, in all that I am. Thank you for loving me as your child, created in your holy image.