The Road Less Traveled

To Know Dad Better

 

I have just returned from home in the States to South Africa. It wasn't just a 7 hr time change but an unbelievable climate change as well! Jet lag was in full throttle and the transition from winter to summer was crazy! My heart is at rest to be back but my emotions are challenging my obedience. Why? My son is going through extreme marriage issues and my momma is battling serious health problems. Oh how I love them and for that reason would love to return home today. My heart goes through the tussle of my obedience to my Dad and the love of my family. I know my loyalty is to my Father first. Many fellow followers would say, "Tom it is fine if you come home or Tom you should come home" but the reality is "Tom, what is your Dad saying to you?"

As I sat at my mom's in Florida over the Holidays it seemed the Lord was saying, "Go sit on the bench by her home looking over a lake and read Ephesians. I obeyed the tugging at my heart and as I read the first chapter I got to v. 17 and stopped and meditated on that verse and have since then.

It said, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better."  Eph. 1:17

I was stuck on two parts of this verse, one that Dad will give us a Spirit of wisdom and revelation and secondly, so that YOU may know Him better. I have been asking for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation since that morning. I WANT TO KNOW HIM BETTER! It really has been my mission for the last several years. How do you do that? One way I know is to sit with Him without the interference of my Bible or a journal. I am not saying to throw them away BUT please by all means sit with your Dad and BE STILL AND KNOW. Secondly, I have decided to live less by plans/agendas and to trust Him where I used to take control. Is it easy? Not by a long shot and it isn't too popular! I have made some decisions that without question I have wavered on a time or two BUT I know I am learning to KNOW Him better because there is no where else to turn. When you trust Him for your schedule, your finances, etc. you find out who your Dad will BE as you journey through life!

My thoughts have become more eternal than ever. I am not too attached to the things of this world anymore. Am I still attached to some things? Of course, but I am learning to break those attachments each day. This is not a journey to become "Super Spiritual Man' either. Religion, as I define it, makes me gag even though I realize there is still some in me! It is a journey to live like a son of my Dad! I want to be a "chip off the old block". Love, joy, peace and so on are what I want to BE and who I am. The chase for influence, status, success, position, material things, etc. is dying in my heart. They are not yet dead but they are dying slowly.

The challenges exist on the journey through this life! Trials and tribulations mature our faith. Anybody want more trials? Probably not. It is in those times our faith grows. Honestly, we are in a time where the trials will increase and it will purify the Bride's faith and love.

Today you might want to consider two things:

1) Sit and BE still with Him!
2) Pray for the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation that you might know Him better

Much love from His son,

Tom