The Father Heart of God

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to be with a father during a 7 hour time period while his son was missing. His 7 year old boy had run off from school because he was afraid he was going to get in trouble because he was in a fight. For 7 hours the police, the family, teachers, and friends searched for this young boy. We searched a 4 mile radius with the school at the center. The whole time he was only 2 blocks from the school hiding in bushes. When he saw the police, he was afraid he was in trouble.

The part I will never forget has to do with the dad. His passion. His frantic search. His love for his son. It rubbed off on me. I wanted him found as well. I thought of my son. How would I respond?

In the New Testament, Jesus talks of people who are far from him as "Lost." To some this term may be offensive. With some it resonates deeply. For me, I remember times when I've been far from God and I know I was lost. I was in need of hope, peace, and purpose. Even now after a 25 year relationship with God, there are times I resonate deeply with this term "Lost."

There are times in my life when I turn to other things to bring me hope, peace, and purpose. I know I should be looking to God for these things. When I've messed things up, my first reaction is to hide. Like the 7 year old. Many times in my life I've sat outside the Principal's office waiting for the hammer to fall. Or under my bed hiding from Dad because I knew I was going to get it. Sometimes it's not that we are "lost" but that we are trying to hide. As if we can hide from God.

My friend just wanted to hug and love his hiding son. We can't hide from God. He's not waiting to punish us but to embrace us. Run to Him today. No need to hide. He knows us better than we know ourselves. If only the 7 year old boy would have made himself know he would have been embraced and not punished. Dad was only waiting to love him. After 7 hours, he was found. There wasn't a dry eye in the room as Dad and son were reunited.