5 Ways the Perfect Love of the Father Has Transformed My Life

Growing up I never knew the love of a father. 

As the youngest of nine kids, my parents had me when they were in their early forties. By that time, they had already separated, and my dad had another life in a city two hours away. I did get to see him, however, once or twice a year.

I remember him sitting me on his lap, hugging me tightly and telling me he loved me.  Feeling the the scratchiness of his salt-n-pepper beard as he held me close.  And I, just happy to see him, would embrace him and say “Love you too.”  

And that was the extent of our relationship. 

As a child, I relied heavily on the love of my mother.  She was everything to me.  She was my biggest cheerleader when I excelled in school and music, attending concerts and performances when her health would allow.  I can still see the love on her face as she cheered me on, beaming from ear to ear.  Just so proud.   

But still, I grew up feeling like an orphan and so desperately wanted to be a daddy’s girl. I just needed a daddy…

Later in life, when I matured in the love of the Lord, God had to gently and patiently reveal the concept of a true and loving Father to me.  Something I had never known.  Something I didn’t know I could know.

And now as I sit here in His presence, I think about how my life has transformed over the years, as I have learned to make my home in the presence of God. In spite of the chaos surrounding me.  And as I linger in His presence, I begin to see God’s perfect love progressively revealed as layers of doubt and unbelief are stripped away, and my life is transformed:

1. I’ve become comfortable in my own skin. 

Until I discovered the love of God, I would feel uncomfortable and insecure, always second guessing myself. I spent the majority of my life afraid to make a mistake and look foolish in front of others.  

But in the lavish love of God, the joy of the uniqueness of my personality has begun to shine in my heart. I no longer beat myself up in regret but see myself as beautiful, called and deeply loved by God. I see myself as He sees me.

2. I’m empowered not to fall into temptation.

God’s love for me is what empowers me to walk in true freedom from the power of sin.  As a believer, I’ve had to evaluate my heart and ask: am I being led by the Spirit or am I under the influence of my old sin nature?  Does this thing please my Spirit or my flesh?

In the perfect love of the Father, you know there’s nothing worth hiding from him. Jesus paid it all.  And through the power of His Spirit, He gives you everything you need to resist temptation.  

3. I stopped striving and began abiding.  

I’ve found that striving comes from an imperfect view of God’s love for us.  When we truly understand that He loves us for who He has made us to be, we lose the impression that we have to work to be accepted by Him.  

Your father loves you just as you are.  

When you let go of your life and give control to Him, He grabs you by the hand and takes off running towards everything He’s called you to be.  Everything submitted to the Him.  He leads you, strengthens you, encourages you and picks you right back up when you fall.

He’ll show you wonders and let you witness the power of His strength in your weakness to produce the good works you are so desperate to see.

God can do more for you in three days of abiding than you can do in three years of striving.

Restful Faith

4. I began to walk by faith. 

More than what I see with my natural eyes, His Word has become real to me.  As I begin to speak and pray over things in my life that are inconsistent to the word of God, I delight in bringing His kingdom here on earth.  

I learn to instinctively give Him all the things that weigh heavy on my heart, from the impossible to the miniscule.  I take notice of what does not measure up to what His word says and I begin to pray. Wherever I’m at, eyes closed or wide open. I pray.

Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is found in the One who hears it and not in the one who said it, our prayers do make a difference.

Max Lucado

5. I get giddy.   

As a believer, I know there is an enemy kingdom that makes its mission to deceive God’s children and rob us of our faith and joy.

But over time, as the nature of the Father’s love is revealed to my heart, just knowing that I am perfectly and completely loved by the creator of the universe Himself, has filled me with joy.  Just wow!  There’s a spring in my step and I smile and dance in the presence of God, increasingly unhindered by offenses and hurt from life. 

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!

Psalm 104:33 NLT

What is that thing that is keeping you from experiencing the perfect love of the Father?  

A tragedy? A sudden loss of a loved one, job, or an uncertain future?

God’s love will never fail you even during the toughest circumstances of life.  The more His love is revealed to your heart, the more you begin to believe and stand firm on His eternal truths.  His true and faithful promises.

I encourage you to seek His face today.

When you don’t understand: Seek His face.

When you feel like the world is caving in around you: Seek His face.

Would you seek His face today?  Child of God? 

You will soon see that great, all encompassing love God has always had for you, even before time began.  The blinders will come off and you will step in to who He has created you to be.  All when you experience the perfect love of Abba, Father. Amen.