God's love is unending and boundless

Being a good father feels like one of the toughest jobs in the world. How can I possibly know if I am raising my children in the way they should go? 

I heard someone say today, “I’m more afraid that all of the effort doesn’t look like love to them yet.” This really stuck with me because so often, as an earthly father, I question myself daily.

We must make decisions that can oftentimes create great frustration in our children, and yet we are trying to raise them up to be Christlike. We do this out of great love for them. We do this because we see a bigger picture over their lives than they can yet see as 3-, 5-, or 15-year-olds. Sometimes this looks like discipline, instruction, or a well-placed “no” in order to lead them on the right path.

Our children, of course, don’t always see it this way.

I bring this up today because I so readily recognize myself walking out this very scenario with our Father in heaven. He is so loving and faithful. He sees our lives for the potential of greatness He created in them, and yet I, in my stubbornness and ignorance, am so ready to complain and go my own way. His purpose, from my perspective, doesn’t always look like love.

“Wouldn’t a loving Father give me everything I want? He can provide anything!”

Oh yes, of course—He could give me the money, the car, the job, the house, and anything else I could imagine to ask for. And yet, sometimes we receive a loving “no,” for He has something greater in store. He blocks things He knows won’t be good for us. He brings correction to our spirit when we are thinking wrongly. He gives us what we need over what we want.

It’s almost like He has a greater perspective of what our lives could look like than we do.

For His Word says, “His thoughts are greater than our thoughts, and His ways higher than our ways.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

I want to challenge you today, both as a father and as a child.

Fathers, seek His Word daily and apply it without hesitation. Heavenly principles aren’t always easy, but they lead to life.

And to you, sons and daughters: take note of this God — who saw the earth before creation, who calmed the sea with His voice, who sacrificed so your life could be worth living — and recognize that His actions are rooted in love today. For this is our Lord’s desire: to see us flourish in the fullness of His great glory.

Justin Gardner pastors at River of Life Fellowship, 702 Church St., Sandpoint. The church can be reached at 208-255-7111.