
a 1 Timothy 1:5 (TLB) “What I am eager for is that all the Christians there will be filled with love that comes from pure hearts, and that their minds will be clean and their faith strong.”
I love my name.
I will never forget the first time I heard it. Really heard it. He whispered it to me at the altar that day. It fell upon my ears like a sweet ocean breeze.
Warm and fragrant.
It is the second most beautiful name I know. He called me “Daughter” and ever since that day I have never doubted that is who I am.
Lena Marie Davis, Daughter of the King of Kings.
I am redeemed. I am accepted. I am made whole. I am adopted forever into the family of God. I belong, but only because of grace and mercy.
Somewhere on the other side of the country there is a man I have known my whole life.
He has many names.
The accuser has branded him: Liar, Worthless, Failure, Bad Father, Druggie, Alcoholic, Cheater, Murderer and Gambler.
God desires to call him : Son, Intended, Masterpiece, Treasured, Planned, Chosen, and Forgiven.
I call him: Dad
For years I have prayed that my Dad would be found. It’s not easy. There have been a lot of wounds for both of us.
He lives a lost life.
I see his illnesses keeping him from living in community with others, right where he can be kept from the light. I see his friends walking away from him in frustration.
I sense his soul withering from the loneliness.
I envision him wandering in the wilderness looking for his lost identity. I hear him pleading for healing.
I feel his need for a Savior. On his face, I see the look of rejection. It’s heartbreaking.
There have been times where I haven’t always been faithful in the way I love my Dad. There have been times where I have called my Dad some of those awful names that the Accuser calls him, not aloud. But, in my heart.
And right now with tears streaming down my face I confess that I have recently told God that I was even done praying for him. That I no longer cared about his soul.
And I meant it.
That is until God reminded me of what he has called me to do.
I heard him saying, “All I need you to do is to love him, I will save him. I will heal him. I will make him whole. You aren’t responsible for any of that. My Daughter, just as I brought you out of the mire, I can certainly deliver him from all of his addictions and break every one of his chains. Will you trust me?”
You see, as a Daughter of the King of Kings I am called to love like my Father does and who my Father does. Neighbors, my co-workers, my friends, my husband, my children, strangers, the lost. And yes, I am called to love my Dad.
Today this passage burns in my heart and mind. It cuts like the double edged sword, deeply.
1 Corinthians 13 :1-7 MSG
If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.
If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
This morning I pray for those who, like my Dad, are lost. I pray they are found.
Found by the One who loves him with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
Found by the One who is watching from a distance and waiting for his son to return home. Luke 15:20
Found by the One who throws the best homecoming parties. Luke 15: 22-24
Found by the One who can set him free from every addiction, heal every broken part of his heart. Luke 4:18
Found by the One who will give him a new name. Revelation 2:17
My prayer is simple:
Father of Mercy,
May ALL who are lost be saved. May they hear you calling them out of the wilderness with a new name. A name that means freedom. Only you can save them,God.
~Amen
Beautiful post….There have been time where I threw up my hands, and said I am done. Thank you for reminding me to never give up! 🙂
Daughter of the Most High God!! His Chosen..His beloved..
Isn’t He an amazing Father..even when we are all wrapped up in ourselves. Your post draws me to my papa God like child and feel His embrace. Love it!
I love you Lena!!! Xoxoxox
Awww, much love back to you.
~ Lena