One of my favorite places right now is my “floating chair.” For Mother’s Day my family gave me this lawn chair that is engineered in such a way the chair hangs from a pivot at the top, sheltered by an umbrella. It’s the closest thing to a baby swing an adult can have and it’s lovely. When you settle into it you feel like you have settled into God’s hand, holding you, rocking you, calming you. Where else would you feel safer?
Maybe you have a chair or a hammock or a hilltop or a hot tub or a hiking trail or another special place that is where you sense God’s comforting and close presence. Maybe you have a friend whose heart and words reassure you of God’s love and mercy. Maybe the Word of God comforts your spirit and emotions when you are struggling. Maybe there are songs that enfold you when your heart is heavy and your mind is muddled. Whether you learned only recently or started long ago, you know that when you run to the Father – wherever and however – you find mercy, grace, hope, and peace.
Today I invite you, I urge you, to go. Go to the Father. Take your pain, sin, worries, heartache, fears, confusion, and everything else. Run to the Father, fall into Grace, drown in his mercy – again and again and again….
Lord, you know everything there is to know about us. You are so intimately aware of us, Lord, that You read our hearts like an open book and you know every step we will take before the journey even begins. You’ve gone into our futures to prepare the way, and in kindness you follow behind us to spare us from the harm of the past. Your understanding of us brings us wonder and strength. Wherever we go, your hand will guide us and your strength will empower us. It’s impossible to disappear from you or to ask the darkness to hide us, for your presence is everywhere, bringing light into the night. Thank you for the reassurance that you are our God who strengthens us, helps us, guides us, and holds us in your hands. Thank you that when we bring our pain, sin, worries, heartache, fears, confusion, and everything else to you, you greet them with mercy, grace, hope, and love. Help us to remember to crawl into our Abba Father’s lap when the world seems dark and hopeless. Help us to know your Peace that passes understanding and guards us. Give us your Light for our darkness, we pray in Jesus’s name, Amen.
““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7 ESV)
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:, 10 ESV)
“My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” (John 10:29 ESV)
“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NLT
“Lord, you know everything there is to know about me.
You perceive every movement of my heart and soul,
and you understand my every thought before it even enters my mind.
You are so intimately aware of me, Lord.
You read my heart like an open book
and you know all the words I’m about to speak before I even start a sentence!
You know every step I will take before my journey even begins.
You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness you follow behind me
to spare me from the harm of my past.
You have laid your hand on me!
This is just too wonderful, deep, and incomprehensible!
Your understanding of me brings me wonder and strength.
Where could I go from your Spirit? Where could I run and hide from your face?
If I go up to heaven, you’re there! If I go down to the realm of the dead, you’re there too!
If I fly with wings into the shining dawn, you’re there! If I fly into the radiant sunset, you’re there waiting!
Wherever I go, your hand will guide me; your strength will empower me.
It’s impossible to disappear from you or to ask the darkness to hide me,
for your presence is everywhere, bringing light into my night.” (Psalm 139:1-12 TPT)
“Run to the Father”
I’ve carried a burden
For too long on my own
I wasn’t created
To bear it alone
I hear Your invitation
To let it all go
I see it now
I’m laying it down
I know that I need You
I run to the Father
I fall into grace
I’m done with the hiding
No reason to wait
My heart needs a surgeon
My soul needs a friend
So I’ll run to the Father
Again and again
And again and again
You saw my condition
Had a plan from the start
Your Son for redemption
The price for my heart
I don’t have a context
For that kind of love
I don’t understand
I can’t comprehend
All I know is I need You
My heart has been in Your sights
Long before my first breath
Running into Your arms
Is running to life from death
And I feel this rush deep in my chest
Your mercy is calling out
Just as I am You pull me in
And I know I need You now
Songwriters: Cody Jay Carnes / Matt Maher / Ran Matthew Jackson
Run To The Father lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Essential Music Publishing