Thoughts for the Day
Sunday, 18th April 2021: Children of God
God our Father 1 John 3 Listening Love
Reading : Verses from 1 John, Chapter 3
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's childen now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
(Church in Wales Lectioinary, New Revised Standard Version)
Thoughts
I remember looking at a new-born baby years ago. He had a small head with very dark hair and looked so like his older brother, that years later it was difficult to tell which one was which in photos. I wondered what these children would look like as adults? What interests would they have as they grew up? One parent loved music, would either of them follow in this field? Their father liked to cook, would either of them enjoy feeding others?
Many of us look at babies and think about their future, wondering if they will take after their parents. The First Letter of John says that we are children of God, and He cares for us like a parent. He seeks to bring us up to follow in His ways. He seeks to keep us safe and to protect us. However, unfortunately, as with human babies, we may well decide to go our own way, and ignore what God wants.
In our day-to-day life we should try to remember that we are God's children, and when we are tempted ask ourselves "Is this what God our Father wants us to do?"
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
may we listen to You,
follow Your commands,
and learn to become
more like You.
May we keep close to You
as we mature,
listen to Your inner voice,
and continue to grow in faith.
Amen.
Quotes on listening to the inner voice of God:
- 'God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer'. (Mother Teresa)
- 'Are you learning to say things after listening to God, or are you saying things and trying to make God's word fit in?' (Oswald Chambers)
- 'Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen'. (Winston Churchill)
- 'It's amazing what we lose in life by listening to fear, instead of listening to God'. (Joyce Meyer)
- 'Listening to other people's needs is listening to God. Noticing simple, natural beauty, hearing music, even confronting the challenge of pain and problems - that can all be listening to God too'. (Peter Kreeft)