My Father

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!