The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 (NIV)
When I was in college, I attended (for a very short time) a Campus
Crusade Bible study. The one thing that I recall from that
experience was the leader talking about fathers – how the imagery of God as
Father was uncomfortable for her, because of the abusive relationship she had
with her own dad. Her understanding of fatherhood was so twisted by abuse, she
couldn’t comprehend how God as Father could be good. She asked us if we felt
the same way. I didn’t – my dad has always been one of the most amazing
examples of what it means to live your life in and through and for Christ. It’s
easy for me to make that leap from my daddy to God as Father, because he
exemplifies reliable support, care, love, and is the greatest personal
cheerleader ever, but he never let us get away with stuff, either. We were held
accountable.
To me, this is the internal image I have of what it means to call
God, my “Abba, Father.” God is absolutely consistent in his love and in his
discipline, in his cheerleading and his correction. I am eternally grateful for
the example that my own daddy provided for me. In his life and words he always
points us to our heavenly Father.
Happy Father’s Day, Dat Faddy!
