Through the eyes of the Father

We all develop an identity for ourselves at an early age. Most of us are given a big part of our identity by our earthly father. For some, our father imparts confidence and speaks purpose into our lives, for others our father imparts a low self esteem and speaks failure to us. Even those whose earthly father is not a part of their life are given identity through his absence. No matter how good or bad our earthly father was or is, they are only part of fallen mankind and fall short of the glory of God the Father. We all need an identity based on how God the Father views us. Any other opinion that we have of ourself is a lie from satan as he tries to wreck our lives and the plan God has for each of us. Father God sent His Son to destroy the effects of sin in our lives and give us abundant life here and now (relationship through Jesus, to God as Father is our Identity).
The Father wants us to know Him. Equaly important to Him is that we allow Him to know us. GOD is WHAT He is and He knows every detail of our lives but because FATHER is WHO He is, He gives us the freedom to either shut Him out or to allow Him access to our heart and life. When we allow Him full access, that is when we will take on the identity that He has for us. His character will begin to develop in us, then our mindset will begin to reflect His and our identity will then be based on His love for us. Romans 5:8 says" But God (Father) demonstrates His love own for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us".
Every relationship needs to be two sided. A one sided relationship will not be a healthy one. The Fathers heart concerning His side of our relationship is summed up in 2 Peter 3:9 " The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not willing for anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance". We can't fully understand the Father and His heart toward us. Although, through His Spirit we can feel and enjoy His love for us and be set on course for the plan he has for our lives.
When we tell the Father that we love Him, He understands love to such a greater degree than we do and He relates our love for Him to how much He loves us. As a daddy, I love to hear my children tell me that they love me. I relate that to what I understand love to be. When they tell me in detail about a ball game or rodeo they just competed in, it blesses my heart that they value our relationship enough to tell me about it. Even though I may have seen the whole thing, I love to hear their perspective on all of it. The same is true of the Father. It pleases Him when we verbally allow Him into our lives. He knows all that is happening, but when we share it with Him the relationship deepens as a two sided relationship, then He has evidence that we do love Him. I make it a practice every morning when I get up, to tell Him that I love Him, to thank Him for life and then to invite His Spirit full access to me. To fill me up fresh so that I will be an accurate representation of Him to the world. I do this out loud so that we both can hear the words that I am speaking to Him.
As we spend time with the Father, we will begin to understand what His thoughts are toward us. When I say spend time with Him I don't mean just studying your bible (although that is very important in developing His character in us). Spend time daily, conversing with Him, share your heart, dreams, goals, even your fears, hurts and disappontments and then listen to what He has to say to you about it all. He is the ultimate Father and He cares about everything that is important to us and wants us to get His perspective and direction. The dreams in our heart are probably placed there by Him. If we are seeking His will and the dreams aren't from Him, He will replace them with His purpose in our heart. We have got to choose to be obedient and respond to Him, trusting His plan. I want to be right in the middle of His plan for me so that my life will be filled with peace, knowing He has my back in it all.
Our world is so filled with GO, RUSH and DO. Could it be that the Father is asking us to slow down and give Him a chance to speak to us and let us see ourself through His eyes. As we begin to see ourself through His eyes and hear Him speak, agree with the things HE says about us, casting down any other opinion ever given about us. As children of the Father our identity is given through Him seeing us with eyes filtered through the blood of Jesus. If we see ourselves through His eyes, then we will have confidence in our identity given by the Father. Our identity in Him always points us to His love and purpose for our lives in His Kingdom.

Jesus Loves You
Cody CusterVISIT PRO BULL RIDING OUTREACH AT www.probullridingoutreach.com PRAYER REQUEST