As a mother of a young child, there is no greater feeling than being able to offer comfort, hope, safety and encouragement through a warm embrace. To know that as I hold my child in my arms, I am able to convey to him more deeply than mere words ever could that he is my child and he is much loved.
As a child of my Heavenly Father, there is no greater feeling than receiving comfort, hope, safety and encouragement through His warm embrace. To know that as I am held in His arms, He is conveying to me more deeply than mere words ever could that I am His child and I am loved.
This prodigal daughter has returned home. When my eyes were finally opened and I recognised that I was a sinner before a Holy God and shamefacedly returned to Him to plead for mercy, He came running towards me, threw His arms around me and kissed me. He ran towards me! He embraced me! He kissed me!
How is this possible? Because of Christ. Because the Son of God made Himself nothing, took on the very nature of a servant, was made in human likeness, and humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!
Is it possible year after year to be filled with ever-increasing awe and wonder as we contemplate the miracle of the incarnation? This heart of mine is overwhelmed this Advent-time. So much to wonder at – Mary, the young virgin, receiving a visit from the angel Gabriel to tell her she would bear the Son of God in her womb; the shepherds receiving a visit from a great company of the heavenly host singing praises to God; but above all that the Son of God would leave the glory He had with His Father before the world began to come to earth to save us.
And because He came, because He lived, because He died, because He was resurrected, because He is ascended, I can enjoy the embrace of my Heavenly Father.
As a child of my Heavenly Father, there is no greater feeling than receiving comfort, hope, safety and encouragement through His warm embrace. To know that as I am held in His arms, He is conveying to me more deeply than mere words ever could that I am His child and I am loved.
This prodigal daughter has returned home. When my eyes were finally opened and I recognised that I was a sinner before a Holy God and shamefacedly returned to Him to plead for mercy, He came running towards me, threw His arms around me and kissed me. He ran towards me! He embraced me! He kissed me!
How is this possible? Because of Christ. Because the Son of God made Himself nothing, took on the very nature of a servant, was made in human likeness, and humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!
Is it possible year after year to be filled with ever-increasing awe and wonder as we contemplate the miracle of the incarnation? This heart of mine is overwhelmed this Advent-time. So much to wonder at – Mary, the young virgin, receiving a visit from the angel Gabriel to tell her she would bear the Son of God in her womb; the shepherds receiving a visit from a great company of the heavenly host singing praises to God; but above all that the Son of God would leave the glory He had with His Father before the world began to come to earth to save us.
And because He came, because He lived, because He died, because He was resurrected, because He is ascended, I can enjoy the embrace of my Heavenly Father.
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)
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"Is it possible year after year to be filled with ever-increasing awe and wonder as we contemplate the miracle of the incarnation?" Yes, yes, and yes again!! Blessings!
ReplyDeletePetra - :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a delight to share in the joy of knowing God with other members of God's family, and to be spurred on through that shared joy. Bless you!
And this is what it means when it says, "...for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame..." -Hebrews 12:2
ReplyDeleteThe beginning of this verse speaks of Him as the author and perfecter of your faith, and the latter part speaks of how He sat down at the right hand of the Father.
"It is finished!"
Much love,
-E
I love everything about this post...powerful truth! IT IS FINISHED...indeed!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth - Amen. I can't add anything. You've said it all.
ReplyDeleteBless you.
Teresa - thank you for your encouraging words. I praise God that He brought you home to his embrace.
So, I had to visit your blog because I have seen your name on other blogs and ALWAYS say to myself, "I LOVE her name!" I think Diana Lovegrove is one of the most beautiful names I have ever heard!
ReplyDeleteIt is a pleasure to meet you and I must say thank you for your lovely post! There truly is nothing that can compare with the Father's embrace!
Blessings!
Christina - that is so sweet! :)
ReplyDeleteMay God bless you this Christmas time.
where did you get the picture from? i find it captivating
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous - I found it by typing in "prodigal daughter" on Google images (!) - it's a painting by Charlie Mackesy, painted in 2005, website here: http://charliemackesy.com/gallery/index.php?gallery=Paintings&image=deep%20gold%20prodigal.JPG
ReplyDeleteI agree it is absolutely captivating!