My son just turned 8 this year. I see so much potential in him and there are many times when his young spirit shines and makes me excited for the man he will become. Yet, he doesn’t always act righteously, his words and tone aren’t always respectful, and his desires aren’t always considerate of those around him.
As his father, I have this innate desire for him to have a selfless attitude, thoughtfulness, meekness, gentleness, and initiative for helping others. I want him to experience the abundant life walking with Christ in step with the Spirit. It’s quite clear to me that he needs someone to parent him or that he will be lost to chaos, see no need to turn from his sin, and eventually see his life disintegrate and those around him hurt. However, despite my own clairvoyance, it’s up to him to receive any correction or rebuke I give him. No matter how often I make him do pushups for disrespecting his mother, it won’t matter unless he softens his heart and allows his character to be pruned.
Today’s proverb tells us not to despise the Lord’s rebuke, correction, or chastisement. I want to encourage us to take this one step further; we should beg for the Lord’s rebuke. We should crave His correction!
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)
The reason is that He alone can see us for who we are as a loving father sees his own child’s life stretched before him or her. He sees our unwillingness to admit when our anger takes shape and hurts those we love the most. He wants to mold us so that when shame or anxiety overwhelm us, we turn to Him instead of downward spirals of coping mechanisms that destroy. He sees the potential in us more than we can ever see it ourselves.
Today, Lord, we hear your voice. We turn from our hard-heartedness and completely surrender to you, finding freedom.
For reflection:
- Why do you think we often hold onto subtle ways of the flesh when our Father sees our life stretched before us and knows walking in the Spirit would be better for us?
- How can you show love or respect to someone today based on Jesus’s love for us?
by Ryan Atwood
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