First Looking Back

God lives and works today. He is our Father and through Jesus Christ we have truly become His children. Therefore, like any loving Father, He is concerned that we be brought up in a right way, so that we'll be strong and happy for all eternity.

What does it actually mean to be brought up by God the Father? Today's meditation by Basilea Schlink is a comforting and encouraging answer. Whenever we enter a house where someone is in the midst of spring cleaning, everything looks upside down. Beauty has given away to chaos and disorder prevails.

Nevertheless, each one of us would agree, it has to be this way. But when God begins His spring cleaning in our world and in our personal lives, then we begin to criticize His methods and rebel against them. And yet, each person who is honest with himself must realize that we need God's chastening and purification to set us right again.

We know that His quiet warnings aren't enough for us. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we would listen when He whispers softly and immediately turn away from our sins in egotistical ways? However, when it comes to spiritual cleansing, most of the time we leave God no other choice than a thorough scrubbing. One day, when we have reached our heavenly goal, we will look back and thank God for all of His ways of chastening and purification.

Then, we will thank and praise Him as we realize that He wasted no false sympathy on us. That instead of overlooking our faults and failures, He went to work on us, scrubbing away each impurity, until finally we were fit for His kingdom. Yes, day after day, He purified us through suffering and chastening.

He spared no pains with us, until finally we bore His image of love, patience, and meekness. Until we finally rested completely in His will. Yes, God's love wants to prepare us for His eternal kingdom of love and peace.

He wants to have us with Him as His own dear children. A missionary once told us about a little Chinese boy whom she was determined to expel because of his inordinate stealing. But then, the little boy came to her in tears and begged, Missionary, I know that I really don't deserve to stay here because thieves don't belong in this school.

But do with me what you want. Punish me any way you want. Only let me stay with you.

Can we say the same thing to our Heavenly Father? Do with me as you will, and what you will. Only let me stay with you today, and later in your kingdom. I want your spring cleaning.

Yes, in looking back, I thank you already for the times when you haven't spared me. My Father, in these, your chastisements, I see your greatest love for me. Father, I thank you for guiding my way.

Father, I thank you for care every day. Father, I thank you for all I can see. Father, I thank you for thinking of me.

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