Pump It Up! Live Elated, Not Deflated Through Disappointing Daysਨਮੂਨਾ

God’s cheeky treasure

In my dinghy, I was reminded that despite feeling unimportant, unfruitful, and very confused, I was highly treasured by God. He has taught me a lot about this in relation to how I feel about my daughter. We adopted our little treasure eight years ago - I am not her biological mum. But the love I have for her is overwhelming – my heart bursts with love and pride in her. Sometimes I sense God saying to me: ‘I love you even more than you love her’. That is astounding to me. God loves me unconditionally, regardless of my deepest regrets and mistakes. Even when I’m having a tantrum at God and I’m punching the side of my dinghy in frustration, I am his eternal treasure.

Hosea 11:4 tells us how God wants to hold us against his cheek, like a parent does with a small child. This beautiful picture of the tenderness and affection God has towards us shows us how much he treasures us. I enjoy lots of cheek-to-cheek love with my daughter. I think of my affection for her and the closeness we share in these moments, and I’m moved that God wants this kind of intimacy with us. God’s desire to be close to us is not dependent on our faithfulness to him. I’m so thankful for this, as there are so many times I’ve failed to live out the faith I profess, yet God still wants to hold me tenderly to his cheek.

Are you feeling useless, depressed, confused, or invisible in your dinghy? However you may feel, and whatever your life currently looks like, one thing is certain - you are treasured by Almighty God. Lie back for a few minutes and bask in that amazing truth. Let’s call it a ‘biblical bobbing’ session (watch this space - I reckon this could catch on in Christian culture and I’ll soon be travelling the globe leading ‘biblical bobbers’ groups! Imagine the merch!)

We have not been abandoned or sent to a dinghy for punishment. Don’t even go there – it’s a lie that needs to be stopped in its tracks. Be determined to use your dinghy days to delight in knowing you are treasured. I pray that your dinghy days will be a time of rediscovering your ‘pieces of eight’ (squawking parrot style and repeating ‘pieces of eight’ right now is not obligatory, but is highly encouraged!).

Reflection

Reflect on the fact that you are a treasured child of God. Your Father God desires to tenderly lift you up to his cheek.