The Father's Joy

It is amazing to me that the Holy Spirit says through John 1:12, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name..."  It is interesting here that it does not say He gave the right to become adults of God or adult children of God (sounds like a support group).  I see that for so many of us it is difficult to the amazing unconditional love of the Father because we can't enter into to being a child again.  Most of our pain is rooted in the rejection, hurt, absence of love, and wounding we received as a child.  The video up top may help you to connect with how your Abba really sees you, connect with the place of being a little boy or little girl in His loving arms.  Today as someone prayed for me, My Abba said, "I enjoy being with you."  Even after Abba had touched a deep place in my heart, immediately the lies of the Enemy came to steal this revelation.  My Abba enjoys me!  I don't think I really ever believed I was someone to be enjoyed, Abba enjoys being with you as if you are the only person in His gaze.  I remember doing prayer ministry with a good friend, before her cancer returned and ending up taking her home, the Lord spoke to her and told her "You are the apple of My eye."  This so warmed her heart and I believe this was part of how she found peace as she prepared to meet her Creator and Maker.  I realize I too often come to God with an agenda, a need, need for someone else, or a burden instead of coming into His presence just to be enjoyed by Him.  I am saddened to say that I don't know as I have enjoyed my two beautiful children like My Abba enjoys me but I guess I couldn't give them what I had not received from Him.  Yes, grace means I have received everything "in Christ" but to experience everything I have been given is to open those wounded and hurt areas of the little boy inside.  I wonder what church would be like if we came in to be enjoyed by the Abba who loves us, not do something for Him but receive His love and pleasure over us.  Obviously there is no way you can allow your Abba to love on you in this way unless you see yourself and Him through the finished work of Jesus.  I invite you to enter a time of intimacy with your Abba, so that He can enjoy you and His joy can become your strength.  I believe the ultimate in the Christian life is to receive God Himself, not only all His benefits, blessings, and grace but Him.  We are the most privileged people on the planet to be little boys and girls in our Daddy's lap, playing freely and just enjoying being with Him.  I believe amazing fruit will come out of that intimacy but like you I hear the voice of the Liar saying it will be a waste of time and I must get something productive done.  However you and I were made to be infinitely and radically love, then we can pour out this same love to others.

In Abba's Lap,
Bret