[Finding God in All Things] Day 26 – The Appointed Time for the Ultimate Encounter

Farmer of Hearts - Finding God in All Things

Our theme for yesterday's retreat was: When “Selfless Love” Meets “Senseless Love”. If this situation occurs between a man and a woman, it is not hard to predict how the story will unfold. This "encounter" will not have a positive outcome. Unfortunately, for believers in general, the description is quite fitting when it comes to their relationship with God.

Our understanding of how much God loves us and how He loves us is usually limited to head knowledge and quite superficial. When asked, it's not difficult for us to say that God loves us. But how deep is the love of the Lord, how much has He secretly sacrificed for us behind the scene, how has He faced dilemmas and struggles, encountered difficulties that no one would be able to comprehend, and things that can never be shared, stories that are left untold… for all these, how much do we really know? And if we know, how deeply do we feel it? Faced with our Father’s selfless and almost "blind love" for us, do we really want to respond with our selfish and senseless love? If such a state occurs in temporal human relationships, for sure that relationship will not last. Why do we believe that our eternal relationship with God can develop in this way? Shouldn't we take some time to reflect on how we can break this unequal relationship? Let's consider it from another perspective.

In Jesus' farewell discourse, in the Gospel of John, chapter 14, verses 1 to 3, He said to His disciples:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14: 1-3)

Here, Jesus clearly expressed His and the Father's desire. He eagerly looks forward to living with as many children as possible in the Heavenly home. How can we tell that God is excited? Let us first imagine that if we want to invite a good friend to our home for a gathering, we would certainly clean our house thoroughly. This is not just being polite to our friend but also to provide the best hospitality, making them feel at home! Isn't Jesus making similar arrangements for us? Hmmm... Is the heavenly home really so messy and dirty that it would require Jesus to spend so much time preparing a place for us?

If we believe that Jesus is not lying, and with His serious attitude, He must be extremely excited, and looking forward to our arrival in the future, and thus meticulously preparing everything for us. We would prepare pleasant surprises for important guests to delight them. Similarly, can we imagine that Jesus' excitement and the degree of importance He places on us far exceed our ways of entertaining important guests here on earth?

After saying that He is preparing a place, Jesus also states that He will come again to take us to Him! This is no longer a simple welcoming of guests but a gesture of welcoming one’s bride! (cf. John 14: 3) It is obvious that God wants to prepare a wedding feast for each one of us in the Heavenly home, to solemnly receive us and have a grand celebration of our union. Jesus further declares, "where I am, there you may be also." (John 14: 3) This is a clear proclamation of His love for us!

Are you flattered? Are you nervous? Are you starting to feel excited too? Would you doubt that the person whom Jesus is eagerly looking forward to welcoming and marrying is not you but someone else? However, Jesus assures us, "In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places." (John 14: 2) He takes each of us equally seriously! Do you understand?

Reflection

Do you feel that your current relationship with God is an equal relationship? What areas in this relationship do you want to improve?

Imagine that Jesus is in front of you, solemnly saying to you the words He said to his beloved disciples in His farewell discourse. Can you feel the deep affection He has for you?

Have you noticed a stark contrast between the seriousness and affection you have for God and the seriousness and affection He has for you? What feelings do you have in your heart that you want to tell Jesus?

Today’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, the words You spoke to me today personally have truly left me astounded! Are You serious? Have You thought it through? Do You really want me? You must know my heart! How I have treated You over the years, You must be well aware... Are You out of Your mind? Why... I just don't understand.

You clearly know that my affection for You is far less than Your love for me! I know Your wisdom is way higher than mine. But I truly can't comprehend why You have loved me to this extent. Aren't You being a bit impulsive?

I really don't know how to face You, how to respond to Your inexplicable love for me. What do You want me to do?

Lord Jesus, please tell me...

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The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding God in All Things” team, including FLL staff and volunteers. Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Project Manager: Michael Lam
Writer: Paul Yeung
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: Bonny Chan
Mandarin Narrator: Mel Lo
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Graphics: Francis Lai, Rosa Tse
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