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What Kind of A Father? By Brooke Thomas
Not so long ago my husband and I went to the movie theater to watch a new movie about a young girl who is kidnapped and sold into a cruel, demeaning business. This young girl was extremely lucky as her father had special skills that were supposed to allow him to find her. However, I sat horrified as I watched one lead after another bring him so close to saving her, yet continue to produce a dead end courtesy of his daughter’s captors, always in a pain inducing way for someone. His journey was exhausting, even for me just sitting in the theater. Just as I was beginning to conclude that this movie was going to have an ending that I would not enjoy, the hero finds a way to rescue his daughter and save her from a terrible fate. As the daughter’s expression of acceptance of her circumstances changes to the realization of her father’s deliverance; I couldn’t help but envy her. How loved she must feel, I thought, to know that her father risked his life, suffered intolerable pain, and journeyed half way across the world to track her down and save her. That would have to be the best feeling, I was sure. In fact, I remember wishing that I had a father who would do that for me if I were in put in a dangerous situation. Their relationship would never be taken for granted for the rest of their lives.
As I reflected on that, I had a realization of my own. I am loved and prized that much, too. My Father sent a Savior to track me down and save me from my very own terrible fate (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10). It was a high price that came at the expense of much pain and suffering.
Deliverance also came at a time when it seemed the ending was not going to be a happy one. As our Savior was crucified and put to death, odds seemed poor for rescue. However, the realization of His resurrection can revive hope in each of us.
We are blessed to have a Father who also has special skills. These skills are not ones taught by the CIA or that allow Him to survive in less than favorable circumstances and track down criminals. His skills are much greater and more encompassing: they are mercy, forgiveness, love, and grace. His deliverance doesn’t just allow us a second chance at living a normal life; it allows us a second chance at eternal life. His deliverance gives us a life free of guilt, regret, hate, and sin.
I walked out of the theater not just with the satisfaction of a happy ending, but with a renewed appreciation of and admiration for my Father and His desire to prevent us from being taken (Romans 8:31-39). |
