For our toddler Clara, her mommy is the main show.
I’m not complaining. There is not a shortage of hugs or excited yells of “Daddy” when I walk in the door or come back into the room after awhile. There are plenty of confirmations that I am the number one guy in her life.
Though in comparison to her mommy, I am the backup band. I’m the supporting cast. I’m the help. I’ve learned to accept this.
But, if I pick up another baby or show attention to another child she’ll wave her finger to indicate she doesn’t like what’s going on. She’ll come up to me and wrap her arms around my leg and want me to pick her up.
It’s in those moments where she leaves no doubt how much she wants her daddy.
I don’t enjoy seeing her jealous for me and yet . . . I do.
It reminds me of my relationship with God when I treat Him like a supporting cast member, someone to help when life is uncertain or problems abound or when I’ve created a mess from relying on myself.
In times like these, I become the excited one who speaks God’s name and is thankful for his presence, his word, his peace and other unlimited attributes.
I don’t want to let Him go. I want Him to pick me up.
And yet I’m reminded of God’s jealousy for me.
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God . . .” – Exodus 20:4-5
God’s love for us is fierce. And I’m to respond in love, not relegating God to a supporting act, but declaring him the lead role in my life.
“And that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life . . .” – Deuteronomy 30:20
It’s my goal to continue to mature as a Christian and go on decreasing while God goes on increasing as stated in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
I can only do this because of the love of God by sending His son Jesus Christ to live a perfect life, die on a cross and be raised again to life, conquering sin and death and allowing me a personal relationship with Him as a result.
The impact of this truth leaves no doubt God is the main show.
