Its not been a good winter for flying. Some time ago I saw a post on Facebook written by an acquantence. Evidently he was back east for business and was trying to get home. He was stuck in some ariport and posted his frustration ending his post with "*$&#*$(#*$)(#)($*! " As part of the human race I understand the frustration. Don't we all?
I recently read that it is in these situations where the truth about the condition of our heart breaks out. We'd like to think when we turn our lives over to Jesus that the ugliness that might come pouring forth in these situations has been swept away. But that is not the case. It is at these times when my own frustrations have mounted and I say or do regrettable things I realize how much I need Jesus to be formed in me.
At those times of being stranded at an airport, helpless against the vagaries of weather or mechanical breakdowns that we have the opportunity to step back and invite Him deeper to those places in our hearts. Sitting here in the very early morning in my park, it is easy to write this. I will probably need to read this next time I fly the frustrating airways.
No amount of Biblical thought and correct theology will remedy our hearts unless we obey Jesus to first love Him, to invite Him deeper into intimacy with us. It is at that place where true formation occurs.
Another thought occurred as I thought of my friend's plight. He is a dad to several pre-schoolers. Much of what he posts on Facebook are snippets of conversations with his children. Stuck in the airport, he simply longed to be home with them. It made me think of our Father's longing for us, His children.
Imagine, if you will, you consider every human being that has ever walked this earth to be your child. Now imagine that you want them home with you so you can provide them everything needed for them and to be with you. But the vast majority ignore every advance you make and your complete offer of intimacy with them is rejected. In fact, most blame you for everything that goes wrong in their lives. This goes on year after year until thousands of years of rejection have piled up. Yet, you still long with an aching heart for all your children, not just some, to come home to you. That is the Father's heart for this world.
Imagine also His longing for the few who do say "Yes" to His offer only for some to go on as if nothing has happened, they simply see the offer as a ticket for the afterlife. He longs for us to move into loving Him NOW!
Imagine His heart of longing for those who construct elaborate religious systems thinking this is the way to His heart. Rules of sin management are established and attempts at following the rules are made. But all along what He wants is for us to sit and sup with Him. He stands at the door and knocks but His children are too busy keeping the rules and telling others how to run their lives that they don't hear the gentle knocking in their own hearts.
He longs for us to stop and listen to His still, small, yet powerful voice in the recesses of our hearts. Listening and obeying in the context of intimacy with a Father who adores us is what He longs for. That is a deeper thing to ponder when we are far from home, our own longing for home producing frustration in the face of uncontrollable obstacles.
Rather than "*$&#*$(#*$)(#)($*!" , perhaps it is best to ask Him, "Father, what do you want to show me?" Invite Him into the frustration and let Him heal the brokenness.
