The Father’s Heart

So let me begin by telling you a little bit of my story.

I was born in Empangeni and spent a few of my early years in Richards Bay. We moved to the North Coast when I was three years old – and then moved again to the Transkei when I was five, where I would begin my schooling
career in a bush school started up by my mom and a few other teacher/wives who kinda needed to make something happen for us kids not to morph into mountain goats.

That was fun, to say the least.

It was a small school, and consisted of a real ‘mixed bag’ of individuals from all over the country, as well a few locals from Port St. Johns who happened to be my favorites, and would go on to become some of my best life-long friends. Another favorite for me would be our ‘P.E.’ classes which took place across the dirt road on the main beach, and
consisted of us chasing each other around on the sand for hours on end. Those were good days.
My dad’s contract ended in Port St. Johns and from there it was on to Port Elizabeth, the friendly city, for a few fun years before moving back to the North Coast in my grade six year. There we would make home as my dad would continue to travel extensively wherever the work would take him. My dad loves what he does, and because of his
passion we learnt to love the adventure of life with him. What an adventure it was! In my early ‘teen’ years, we would spend our weekends up in Lesotho, at one of my dad’s camps, and explore the vastness of the Lesotho mountain range on our motorbikes.

The goal was always: FAST and FUN! Needless to say we achieved both often. I’m sure there were many “near
death” experiences, but for us, we never saw that side of it – we were too busy living an adventure. We would build really average rafts from tractor tyres and shoot some of the craziest rapids in rivers, most people will never hear of, let alone have the privilege of playing in. Life as a kid for me was simply the best (you know you wanna sing it…do it!)

The reality is, we all have these stories – some more fond memories than others but what I realised early on is that life was always best when Dad was around. We could be anywhere in the world; as long as we had Dad close by it would be awesome. Here’s the thing. I’m grateful for a father who wasn’t fearful of the unknown, and who knew how to create space for us as his children to take risks and live in the freedom of many adventures. I’m also more aware than ever that this is our Heavenly Father’s heart for us. He has set us free from fear of the unknown, birthed dreams in our hearts that explode into worlds of opportunity, and set before us an endless sea of faith filled adventures.

So as you read this, regardless of what your experience may have been with your earthly father, may you know that you have a Heavenly Father whose heart is beating for you, and whose love is relentless in pursuit of you. He is with you always, wherever you may find yourself. May you walk strong in the confidence of knowing Him, and may
you experience the thrill of everyday faith filled adventures.

This life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike: “What’s next, Dad?” God’s spirit touches our spirit and confirms who we really are. We know who He is, and we know who we are: Father and children. (Romans 8: 15-16 MSG)

Be inspired.

– Dylan Jahnig (Lead Pastor at Linc Church)