It was quiet in the house in that early morning hour, and my dog and I were in our regular positions for my prayer and Bible time – I on the couch, and Sandy on the carpeted floor next to me. As usual, he was facing away from me. As usual, to pet him required me to reach, barely able to touch the back of his head. Sometimes, I really want to pet him face-to-face, looking into his beautiful golden-brown eyes while he looks into mine. This was one of those mornings, and I was a little frustrated that he wouldn’t give me his face. Then I sensed Holy Spirit giving me the bigger picture.
I have been like Sandy so often with my heavenly Father, Who yields to my will, even as I yield to Sandy’s preferences (most of the time). What part of my heart does Sandy miss by facing away – even when he is near? What part of the heart of Jesus do I miss because I look at all that is going on around me, when I could look at His face and into His eyes of love instead?
When I stop focusing on all the distractions, turning instead to focus on His face, everything else fades in importance. His understanding of all my concerns becomes much clearer to me, simply because I have sought to know Him more. The more I know Him, the more I know His love. The more I know His love, the less room there is for fear of any kind (the root of my focus elsewhere), and the more I want to know of His love. Also, the more I practice facing my Lord when I’m in those quiet times, the more I will seek His face during the remainder of my day. It’s a wonderful circle!
Ephesians 3:17-19 AMP
17 May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,
18 That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];
19 [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
Will I remain content to know Daddy’s love for me only to the extent I now know it? Sandy feels somewhat trapped in those rare face-to-face encounters with me – wanting nearness, but on his terms. Is it the same with me and my Lord? Jesus came to set me free, that I might truly know my God as Abba, Daddy – with all His unending and unconditional love. Oh, that I will seek His face so that His face of love will be reflected to others wherever I go!
Psalm 27:8 NIV My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord , I will seek.
To Make Christ Known 