Run To The Father

Aug 10, 2022

What comforts you?

Seriously, transport yourself in your mind's eye to where you felt light, without burden, without anxiety, without worry. For some of you, that place involves a specific person, or maybe a specific smell. You can already hear the sounds of that environment or see the colors that soothe your weary soul. It’s all right there for you, clear as day.

Wanna know one of mine?

Well, my dad owns an event production company here in San Diego. Growing up, though, he was a stay at home dad while my mom was a CPA on track to be a partner at a firm. Time with my dad was a natural rhythm of life. He was always there for those formative years of my life. Eventually, my mom stepped down to take care of us and homeschool while my dad went to work full time to build his company.

In that process, he would work long hard days and, oftentimes, he wouldn’t make it home by bed time for us kids to see him. But here’s a moment I have lived many times that I will never forget and will always treasure. All the lights in the house were shut off and us kids would ask mom, “Is dad going to come home before bedtime?” Mom would answer, “Yes,” and we would light up with excitement. I would wait up, quiet as a mouse, to hear the muffler of his white F-150 pull up. He would shift the gear into reverse, back up into the driveway, shut off the engine and get out. Two doors would open up so he could get his bag, and then two would close. The broken gate would swing open, and then we would hear the creak of the solid wood front door.

That was our cue.

I would rush for the front door and my dad would drop everything, kneel all the way down, and let me run into his arms.

Here’s what it felt like.

He had a leather jacket that he’s had for 30+ years now. It was always chilled with the outside air. His arms were strong and firm as he held me close. He would chuckle some times, smile, give me a kiss, say hello, and then hold me for just a moment. In that moment, everything else faded and all that mattered was that I got to be with my dad. He made every fight that day with my sisters better. He made every mistake I made feel like it was inconsequential. He reminded me that no matter what happens after this moment, I’m always his son first.

That’s my comfort moment. Face to a cold leather jacket in the arms of my dad.

I tell this story because, for me, it’s about as real as the comfort of a father gets. And I also tell this story in vivid detail for those of you that may have never gotten this opportunity. Never had the father that was there. Not, of course, to make you feel bad about your family of origin, but instead to remind you that your understanding of a father can be transformed into one that has health and is based in truth, not poor past experience.

Every encounter we have that shows us the character of our Father continues to teach us how we can approach Him.

The song, Run to the Father, says:

I’ve carried a burden for too long on my own

I wasn’t created to bear it alone

I hear Your invitation to let it all go

I see it now, I’m laying it down, I know that I need you

Sounds pretty familiar, when we look at Matthew 11.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

- Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11 and Cody Carnes, the writer of Run To The Father, have one message they want you to hear.

If you’re walking through life feeling low grade anxiety and over-exhaustion, can I just tell you right now that Jesus never intended that for you or me. He intended that you learn The Way, the way of Jesus, the way that adopts a gentle, humble heart. The way that says, “This burden isn’t mine and I’ve been carrying it for too long.” The way that follows the invitation to need God and in exchange need nothing else.

As I said before, every encounter we have that shows us the character of our Father continues to teach us how we can approach Him.

So with that in mind, instead of wasting your energy trying to carry a burden you were never meant to, put that energy today into taking steps closer to the Father that gives you the rest you desperately need.