The love of a Father
As I turn the calendar page, I see that today we begin the month of “Love”. February has always been known as this because of Valentines Day. I have always found it strange that this holiday mainly speaks to couples in love. Even though romantic love is an aspect of “love”, it is not what love is.
Love should be the center of our being as Christians. Love is not limited to boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife. It is also not limited to sibling or parent love. Love is for ALL. And it all starts with a Fathers love.
When I think of a fathers love, I think of the story in the Bible about the prodigal son. Often times, we just focus on the son in this story, but the father is the central figure in this story. ( Read Luke 15:11-32 )
The father is much like the helpless parent whose unending love is neither understood nor appreciated. This father allows his sons to make their own decisions, despite how bad those choices may be. No matter what terrible wrong they may commit, he loves them — a perfect picture of the love of our Heavenly Father has for his children.
Despite the father’s love, the younger son wants to see him dead, so he can receive his inheritance, while the elder son is self righteously preoccupied with his “earned” good standing. For both of these sons, their father’s unconditional love for them is completely beyond their comprehension.
Reminds me of how my brothers and sisters are when it comes to the love of OUR Father. Not my blood brothers and sisters, but my brothers and sisters in the Lord. We too, find it difficult to comprehend the love of our Heavenly Father.
How deep is His love?
Deeper than any ocean, wider than any endless mile, softer than any cotton bale, purer than any pile of white snow.
God is not just a “loving” God — the scripture says that “God IS love” [1 John 4:6]. When we fully realize that His love cannot be earned but is freely given, we just then may be able to understand what love truly is.
Love is not a box of chocolates. It is not a dozen roses. It is not a candle lit dinner. May you find the true love of Christ in your heart today. There is nothing like the love of a Father.
HEBREWS 13:1 “Let brotherly love continue.”
Amen, so true.