All of us have got a father. We might know them really well or not at all. We might be really close or really distant from them. They might be alive or not. Have you thought about how your relationship with your physical / earthly dad might affect your relationship with your heavenly father (God)?
In the Bible, God reveals Himself to us as our heavenly Father. Indeed that is how Jesus taught us to address God: "Our father in heaven...". What an amazing thing, to call the creator of the universe 'father'!
However, when we use the word 'father' for God we naturally bring some of our own associations with that word. These then impact how we think of God as our father.
When I was introduced to this idea last year it got me thinking. I love my Dad. He and Mum have provided for me very well. But I've struggled to feel close to Dad. Similarly, I find it difficult to really feel and know the love that God has for me. I know it intellectually, I can tell you Bible verses about it, I may even know some Greek and Hebrew about it, but in my heart I still feel uncertain of His love and worry that He will reject me. My heart and my head tell me different things.
So where to from here?
- Pray. Any lasting change needs to start from the heart not actions. Thankfully, God is in the change business and has equipped us to change. It is His Spirit living in our hearts which allows us to cry out "Abba, Father" (Gal 4:6, Rom 8:15). He is the one who can transform us.
- Dwell on the truth. God is not the same as our earthly Dad. "[God] did not spare His own son but gave him up for us all, how will He not graciously give us all things?" (Rom 8:32). Consider the picture of God in the Bible. He is loving and generous beyond belief!
- Experience the love of others. One other thing which my counsellor said would be helpful is to have positive experiences of love from others in order to help illustrate (in a tiny way) God's love. This helps to show me that I am loveable, and helps me to feel loved.
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