Cody Carnes - Run to the Father Devotional Sample

Know Who God Says You Are

My heart needs a surgeon

My soul needs a friend

So I’ll run to the Father

Again and again 

And again and again

Around the age of twelve, I started leading worship at my church. It brought so much life to my spirit. After I would lead, I remember God would speak to me every time, “I’m really proud of you.” 

His affirmation meant everything to me. And as I’ve gotten older, it still does. I’ve discovered there’s nothing that compares to hearing and believing who God says I am.

Now, I had a great relationship with my dad growing up and I have amazing leaders in my life. The reality is, however, they’re not perfect. And no matter what your earthly father or the leaders in your life are like, I'm sure they haven't been perfect either. They can leave gaps, the areas where they didn’t provide what you needed. But those gaps can be filled when the foundation of your identity is sourced by your perfect Heavenly Father.

I’ve experienced this firsthand. I’ve seen God, the Father, fill in my gaps. 

My parents divorced before I was born and there have been so many moments, as a husband and father, I didn’t know what to do. I’ll be parenting or talking to my wife, Kari, and feel ill-equipped on how to handle the situation.

But it’s in those moments the Holy Spirit provides the wisdom I need. The Father brings insight, grace, and knowledge I didn’t have in and of myself. And He wants to do the same for you.

We can find our hearts needing a surgeon, needing a healing touch of God. We can find our soul needing a friend, needing someone who can handle the thoughts and emotions we don’t know how to process or make sense of.

It’s into this void God wants to speak. He wants to build relationship with you as your affirmer, protector, provider, encourager, and healer. He wants to reveal who He made you to be so you can do what He has called you to do.

It starts with recognizing your need for Him. And, when you do recognize it, run to Him!

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18, ESV