1 John: See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Since the beginning of the year, I've listened to the Bible in a Year podcast through the Hallow App. One of the reflections from Exodus was when Moses gave the Israelites the law, not just the ten commandments, but the 613 commandments within Judaism. After Moses led them out of slavery, God began to introduce Himself to His people through the laws. God had to build their trust from the beginning, baby steps.
He gave them manna to eat, "but man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." (NRSVCE Deuteronomy 8:3) God trained them up to be His people through loving discipline, guidance, and mercy. We are His people.
Sometimes we lose touch with God and are separated from Him, especially when things are going well, and we think we can do things on our own. How much more fulfilling do our lives become when we put God first, as He instructed in the first commandment (not suggested, but commanded)? "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." (NRSVCE Mark 12:30)
The more we turn to God, the more we know Him, and the more She knows us. What parent doesn't want to get to know their child? What child doesn't want to get to know their parent? Parents are incredibly wise (most of the time), and our Heavenly Father is the wisest ever! Even if we had one or two parents who let us down, dismissed us, abused or abandoned us, God will never abandon us. God will never dismiss us, abuse us, nor let us down. God is the perfect parent.
May we trust God this day to be our perfect parent, to know us and love us. May we trust God and get to know Her a little more. May we take Her hand in gratitude when we stumble.