The Heart of God

CAPTION: "U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service/photo by Gary M. Stolz"

Sometimes when we say or do something that is less than perfect we may be tempted to beat ourselves up and turn towards self-hatred. Or we may think to ourselves that God hates us and doesn't love us anymore. Nothing could be further from the truth. These negative thoughts and others many times keep us from drawing on the one who can help us.

Richard Foster states, "Today the heart of God is an open wound of love. He aches over our distance and preoccupation. He mourns that we do not draw near to him. He grieves that we have forgotten him. He weeps over our obsession with muchness and manyness. He longs for our presence."

In The Magician's Nephew (the first book in the Chronicles of Narnia series) there is a young boy named Digory who is afraid to ask Aslan (the Great Lion) to heal his mother. He is so scared that he keeps himself from looking at Aslan's face. He focuses and stares at his feet and claws for most of their conversation. The book describes that at one point he suddenly, in despair, timidly looks up at the Great Lion's face and is surprised by what he sees. He finds "great shining tears in the Lion's eyes." Huge, bright tears that reveal that Aslan is concerned, if not more concerned about Digory's mother's fate than Digory himself.

That story struck home with me when I read it. It reminded me that God loves me and is constantly thinking about my needs. Just like Aslan eventually gave Digory a magical apple to heal his mother's illness, God is looking for opportunities to bless us. But we got to draw near and give him a chance! It is amazing what we will find if we let go of fear and look towards our Heavenly Father.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:29-30 (NIV)

"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" - Matthew 7:9-11 (NIV)