A Father’s Love (by Cathe Laurie)
“Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24 ESV).
With Father’s Day just around the corner, you may be experiencing a mix of emotions. We may have incredible men in our lives to celebrate, but some of us may have had not-so-great relationships with our earthly fathers.
The truth is, I think we’re all purposely ingrained with a desire for a father.
There’s something sacred about the image of a newborn baby sleeping on their father’s chest. There’s safety, love, protection, and assurance. It’s a guarded spot, one that reflects the heart of our Father in Heaven toward us. And it’s a type of love that’s existed since the beginning, since before time began.
It’s the eternal embrace of love. Jesus Himself spilled this out in His beautiful prayer to the Father, saying, “You loved me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24 ESV).
Picture it—before the first sunrise, before Adam and Eve, or Abraham, Moses, or Isaiah, before anyone conceived of such a God—there was already an epic community of love between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It was perfect and whole. And even still, the Lord has invited us to share in it.
Refuge Is Found with Our Heavenly Father
“Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me” (John 17:24 ESV).
Jesus prayed us into that embrace, that holy fellowship. It’s like that newborn baby resting on their father’s chest—we are invited to settle into the bosom of our Father in Heaven.
But this isn’t just something that happens when we get to Heaven. At the Last Supper, John reclined on Jesus. John 13:23 says he was “leaning on Jesus’ bosom” (KJV).
Leaning on His chest, near to His heart.
Can you imagine? The One who has been there since the beginning, His chest available for you to rest on. In my hard times, sometimes I imagine that is me. I put myself there in my mind, leaning on Jesus, close enough to feel Him, close enough for Him to hold me.
Later, John writes in his Gospel, “The only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:18 KJV).
Just as Jesus embraced John as he laid on His chest, so Jesus rests on the chest of His Father. And that eternal embrace of love is offered to all of us. God wants us to settle in His chest, feel His love surround us, and find safety and refuge in His arms.
It reminds me of the song by Chris Tomlin:
You’re a good, good Father . . . It’s who You are . . . And I’m loved by You . . . It’s who I am . . .
No matter what earthly fatherly relationships you have, I encourage you to settle into the chest of your Heavenly Father today, to rest near His heart. Find your comfort there. I promise you—His arms are open wide and ready for you, and His love is never-ending.
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Cathe Laurie is the founder and director of the Virtue women’s ministry. She is also a featured speaker on The Virtue Podcast, at Harvest events, and the author of As I See It. You can find her weekly articles here on harvest.org.
