In the Bible, Enoch is the first person mentioned who ‘walked’ with God. It says he walked with God 300 years. Enoch, however, was 365 years old before he was transported to heaven. So what happened to Enoch when he was 65 that caused him to begin walking with God? It’s pretty simple. Enoch became a father.
Understanding A Father’s Love
When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. Genesis 5:21 After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Genesis 5:22
So what happened to Enoch? I think when he became a father himself, he realised a whole lot about a father’s love, and that opened his eyes to understand his heavenly Father’s love too.
Over the next few months I plan on posting some of the things I’ve realised about my relationship with God as Father through becoming a father myself, and understanding things from the perspective of a father’s love. Here is the first thing I have realised on my journey as a parent.
My daughter will never love me with the same intensity that I love her. And that’s the way it is meant to be.
When my daughter was still just the size of a peanut in my wife’s womb, I thought of her – all day, all the time. As she grew in the womb I cheered her on. I was there through the birth, and everyday since. Every time I look at her, my heart is filled with an uncontrollable love. I think of her every moment of the day. And I know this is how it will be till the day I die.
And my daughter? Well, at the moment she thinks I’m O.K.
Does she love me? Sure, in an infant kind of way (but perhaps not as much as her squeaky giraffe toy). Will she love me more as she gets older. I’m certain. Will she love me the same level as I love her. No chance. It’s just not possible. While I’m still thinking of her each day, she will get caught up in her own life, dreams and plans, and that’s exactly what I want for her.
I don’t ever want her to feel she needs to equal my parental love. It wouldn’t be fair. I know this because I can’t love my mum the same way I love my daughter. Now, you won’t meet a guy who has more love for his mother than me. She’s the best. But, with all the love I have for my mum, I think of her maybe a few times a week. But my mum thinks of me, her child, the way I think of my daughter. All the time.
My mum is always bragging about me and my siblings. Her face lights up at our mention of our names. She knows she can’t be pushy, but she delights when we visit. I’m always in my mum’s thoughts, because she’s my parent. That’s how parental love works. It’s constant. It’s always on. It’s intense.
I think Enoch realised this when he had his first child.
God is a proud Father who loves. That’s what parents do. They love, and they love unconditionally and completely.
— Mick Mooney (@mick_mooney) July 17, 2012
So what does this mean for us, as God’s children? It’s pretty simple really.
Let God be the greater lover. He’s your Father, it’s his right.
And for us, what should we do? We should embrace our role as God’s children. Just relax, play, and enjoy his love. To enjoy and feel secure in his love is the best gift we can give our heavenly Father.
