Give me the iPad!
When God asks for something, do we offer Him what He truly wants or just what feels easier? He values obedience over gestures, just as a parent does.
Tags: Children, God, Love, Obedience, Parenthood, Trust, Worship
This morning, on the way to drop Daniel off at school, something small happened that made me think about my relationship with God.
Daniel was playing on the iPad in the car and was not paying attention to a few important things I was trying to tell him. On top of that, I do not like him staring at a screen for too long while we drive. So I said, “Daniel, GIVE ME THE IPAD!”
He did not want to hand it over. I reached my hand back, expecting him to pass it to me, and instead I felt him grab my hand and start kissing it. Of course, I was still waiting for the iPad. He never gave it to me.
In that moment, I realized how often I do the very same thing to my Heavenly Father. He asks me for one thing, and I hand Him something else. I have done it countless times with worship. I have kissed God’s hand while He was asking me for something else entirely. He asked me for excellence in my work, and I gave Him worship. He asked me to honor my parents, and I gave Him worship. He asked me to be responsible with my studies, and I gave Him worship.
Do not get me wrong. I love my son’s affectionate gestures. But in that moment, what I wanted was the iPad, not kisses on my hand.
Maybe, for someone reading this, “handing over the iPad” means trusting Him in the middle of a crisis. Maybe it means letting go of a relationship that is not good for you. Maybe it means confessing a hidden sin, breaking a bad habit, or finally forgiving someone.
What is God asking of you? He loves your worship, but He loves your obedience too. That is just how we parents are.