God’s love for me is not dependent on what I can ‘do’ for Him. The love that He models to me as a father is perfect and complete, and not a bargaining chip. His ‘completeness’ and identity are not dependent on me–and so He is able to love me even when I am being unlovable.
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Scripture
Genesis 27:1-4
1 When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Behold, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me, 4 and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it to me so that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.”
Observation
What a twisted perspective Isaac had as a father! He wanted to bless his firstborn Esau…as long as Esau fulfilled his desires and preferences. Isaac was old, and no longer able to hunt and do the things he loved–and so he tied Esau’s blessing directly to Esau’s ability to tantalize his tastebuds. Instead of loving and blessing Esau simply because Esau was his son, he was more interested in what Esau could do for him. Rebekah displays this same twisted perspective a few verses later, when she says that her life would not be worth living is Jacob married a Hittite woman. She tied her own fulfillment and happiness as a parent, to the life decisions made by her children.
Application
God’s love for me is not dependent on what I can ‘do’ for Him. The love that He models to me as a father is perfect and complete, and not a bargaining chip. His ‘completeness’ and identity are not dependent on me–and so He is able to love me even when I am being unlovable.
What an example for me to follow as a father! To love my sons completely and without condition, and to remain healthy and fulfilled in my own identity as a son of God without looking to my children for my own happiness and fulfillment: this is the example that God has given me. At times they are stubborn, wayward, and disobedient–just like I have been at times to my heavenly father. If I’m looking to them for my happiness, then my love will be a conditional bargaining. When I find my fulfillment, identity, and joy in Christ alone…I can love my sons unconditionally the way that God loves me, and I can play my role as their father to see them grow into the men that God created them to be.
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me unconditionally! Thank you that you are unchanging, and your identity and completeness does not depend on me. Help me to love my sons the way that you love me, so that they would grow to be the men that you created them to be. Help me to always find my fulfillment and joy in you alone, so that my life would remain firmly rooted by the river of Life.
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