{"id":28644,"title":"Our Desperate Father - the BELIEVE Blog","description":"As a father, we can learn that part of God\u2019s character from His perspective. Our own creation that we so desperately love, that we would die for, and all we crave is to have friendship with them. We want our children to choose us and to willingly receive our love.","content":"

\"xhyeugkmnjpiazrbpj1dyinvmrbxwfsbfoszei1lgic4szdq.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\"\"And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.\"<\/span><\/em> 2 Corinthians 6:18<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>

I am so grateful to have grown up in a christian home. My parents raised me to love God and honour His Word.<\/span><\/p>

With time, I only appreciate my childhood more. What a privilege to grow up without the hardships, regrets and consequences that coming to faith in Jesus as an adult can bring. Furthermore, and even more importantly, I didn\u2019t have to undo misguided preconceptions concerning the character of God.<\/span><\/p>

My earthly father taught me about my Heavenly Father by demonstrating His love and guidance. I thought I had a pretty great understanding of God as a Father but then I became a father myself.<\/span><\/p>

What a change this made! To now be the one who is representing our Lord!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

It was similar to when Rosie and I got married and we began to learn in the dynamic of our marriage the parallels to the relationship of God and us, His bride; living out each and every day what it means to truly love in covenant.<\/span><\/p>

God created the relationships that we have to do exactly this. Parents, siblings, spouses, friends, etc. They all have the purpose of teaching us about God\u2019s nature in application as we coexist with each other.<\/span><\/p>

If anything, being a father has taught me the desperation of God. Yes, that\u2019s right. God is desperate. This is because He limited Himself when he gave Adam the ability to choose: free will.<\/span><\/p>

God, of course, is the father in the story of the Prodigal Son. The father did not go out into the towns where the son was wasting his inheritance. There was no scolding or even a hot meal brought to the son in his time of dire need.<\/span><\/p>

Instead, the father was desperately waiting for the son to choose to come home and receive love of his own accord.<\/span><\/p>

\"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.\"<\/span><\/em> Luke 15:20<\/span><\/p>

My eldest, Jasper, is only six years old so thankfully my wife and I haven\u2019t experienced anything quite like the father in Luke 15. However, countless times, I have had to wait for my son to learn something the hard way, <\/span>desperate<\/span><\/em> for him to come to me for wisdom and comfort.<\/span><\/p>

And so, the Lord, your Father, waits for you. Among many other scriptures, 2 Corinthians 6:18 says that God will be a father to us and we can be His children. All we need do is choose Him.<\/span><\/p>

Jacob Shepherd<\/span><\/p>

CEO & Co-Founder | Revival<\/span><\/p>

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Follow us on instagram - <\/span>https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/revivalforeveryone\/<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/p>","urlTitle":"fathers-day-the-believe-blog","url":"\/blog\/fathers-day-the-believe-blog\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/fathers-day-the-believe-blog\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/revivalforeveryone.com\/blog\/fathers-day-the-believe-blog\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1686661983,"updatedAt":1686771296,"publishedAt":1686771296,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":233745,"name":"Revival"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/wuvpc4lwhq9mu40uvabznthjcsz3edlpvvjx1cvoj3qgekdm.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/wuvpc4lwhq9mu40uvabznthjcsz3edlpvvjx1cvoj3qgekdm.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/wuvpc4lwhq9mu40uvabznthjcsz3edlpvvjx1cvoj3qgekdm.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":24648,"title":"7 Ways to Perfect Peace - The BELIEVE Blog","url":"\/blog\/perfect-peace\/","urlTitle":"perfect-peace","division":233745,"description":"I\u2019m preaching to myself a fair bit here! But I know that as I remind myself of what is truer than what I feel, I can share it with you too.\nAs long as Jesus is at the right hand of God, there is peace for us so how can we attain it? Here\u2019s 7 ways that you can restore and maintain your peace.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/8bqva6nkwr4tu7r9itxjqc11w2u4uyjhdokzcyldshchk7j8.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/8bqva6nkwr4tu7r9itxjqc11w2u4uyjhdokzcyldshchk7j8.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":49488,"title":"Jesus Was a Worm - The BELIEVE Blog","url":"\/blog\/jesus-was-a-worm\/","urlTitle":"jesus-was-a-worm","division":233745,"description":"I was so astounded at a claim I came across on the Internet a few weeks ago. The Holy Spirit has revealed to me some amazing, beautiful, life-changing revelations with time but this one went straight being a contender for top of the list so get comfy!","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/43jcox4oczqowvhfk9qefy1glb9m5gyacrergjzkbr1kr2pt.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/43jcox4oczqowvhfk9qefy1glb9m5gyacrergjzkbr1kr2pt.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":54503,"title":"We Are Barrabas - The BELIEVE Blog","url":"\/blog\/i-am-barrabas\/","urlTitle":"i-am-barrabas","division":233745,"description":"In the story of Jesus going to the Cross, there is a character called Barabbas. Perhaps you\u2019re familiar with him and the role he plays. If not, I\u2019ll summarise.\n\nBarabbas was imprisoned for murder and insurrection against Rome. All four Gospels confirm this. He was in Roman custody during Christ\u2019s trial and had been sentenced to death by crucifixion...","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/j8dft4dm75a3zacmwsma3pggzpzywsvl2dmfhwymyhe7dgt8.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/j8dft4dm75a3zacmwsma3pggzpzywsvl2dmfhwymyhe7dgt8.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}