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Ever since I became aware of the deeper things of God in the Bible, I had a longing to be part of the Kingdom. To truly belong and serve within the Kingdom purposes. But it always availed me.
Often times it was because of my own doing, but there was
always a silly reason why I was rejected within a group. I call it silly
reasons because, looking back at many of my experiences, I was in the company
of immature people. Not that I was very mature myself, but what I read in the
Bible simply didn’t happen in the body. They had the look of devoted Christians
that loved the Word but when you came closer, you realize how fake they were
and that the word was watered down to suit their lifestyle. I was disqualified
because of the way I talked, raised my children, or whatever reason they could
think of and was kept at a distance. There was no nearness of proximity. There
were no grace carries to whom I could connect with.
When I became aware of spiritual fathering, I pursued it but
again was thwarted because of pressures of life. I was disillusioned, my confidence
shattered, and my faith non-excitant.
Once I returned to the folds of the ABC family, I knew that
the emphasis would be on me to walk the straight and narrow. To abide in
Christ. When we receive a second chance, you tend to appreciate everything more.
You realize it is not about the me-company but the us-company. I knew that the
demand to follow Christ accurately would be greater. Not because I felt like it
would be a law as the world sees it but because God expects it. And because I
want to please the Heavenly Father. I
want to be part of the Kingdom and His righteousness. Therefore, I must do my
part.
I had to change many things, but the Holy Spirit was
gracious and helped me through it. Jesus became the hedge breaker that simply
propelled me to follow Him.
When you make a turn in the pigsty, you appreciate things
more. You appreciate the nearness of proximity more. Within this nearness, there
is another dimension birthed. To delight yourself in the Lord. After years of avoiding
the throne room, I can come into the place of Holiness. At first it was a
hesitant step, but as my relationship with God and my spiritual father healed,
the easier it became. Appreciating God in all His facets, even in the hard
things. Everything becomes a delight. I will confess, it is still something
that I must work at certain days. It
doesn’t come easy to me, but I must make a conscious effort to really press in
and stay nearby. I must cooperate with God, the Holy Spirit, and work out my
salvation. And how do I do it? By talking to my spiritual father. By staying
connected.
It is up to me to speak to her. It will not help to go to a
brother in Christ and talk. No, I must go directly to the resource. I call her
my resource because God is my Source.
In the story of the prodigal son, I picture the father,
looking out his window, sometimes standing at the gate as he waited for his son’s
return. He didn’t go out and look for him. He waited and when he saw his son he
set out the table for a feast. But the son must return to the nearness
position. To the table where the feast is waiting. Only then can you delight
yourself in the Lord. And when the accusers come, aka, your brother, you stay
nearby. Because your father will defend you. I have seen this firsthand over
the last three years. You don’t have to defend yourself. It is a place of
comfort and peace. It is a place where your own nakedness is covered.
Cooperation is the next level of your benediction. It shows
that you are not alone. The closer you come the easier it becomes to work
together. And as you work together, you are healed of all the fears and blind
spots in your life. It is a place of blessings.
Is that not what Gerda has taught us the last couple of weeks?
Therefore, I want to encourage you to come near. To feast at
the table that was prepared for you, by your spiritual father. To humble
yourself and become part of the us-company. To stand in the covenant that you
entered the day you connected with your spiritual father. And if you have a
grievance, speak to your spiritual father. The person who was appointed to you.
Don’t allow your countenance to become sour or bitter. Apply more honey to your
diet. Allow God’s light to remove every dark spot so that you can be formed as
a Son.
I want to end with Ps 91: 1 “He who dwells in the
secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the
Almighty.”
Who represents that shadow? Your spiritual father. May that
nearness position propel you into the next level. A deeper level where you
learn how to swim in clear water instead of splashing around in mud.
Grace and peace to you.
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