I was having a conversation tonight with a new believer and we were talking about approaching God as Father. She's been let down by a father and a husband and the question was raised, how could she know what God's love is like as a Father?
Indeed, I went to service recently where God as "Father" was completely eradicated from the liturgy, leaving a gaping hole so wide that the words fell hollow and empty.
I came across this video this evening, in no small measure because someone dropped into the Cafe today and signed a post as "Scout" and it got me thinking about a particular person in literature by that name. In this montage of scenes from the masterpiece To Kill a Mockingbird we may find possibly a most brilliant illustration of what the Father's love is really like, the Father that Jesus called Abba. The God that Jesus himself taught us to call Abba.
3 comments:
Yeah, I've encounter that resistance before, but what the well-intentioned (often woman) believer who struggles does not realize is that their desire to change or obscure is an act of full rebellion, first because it goes directly in contradiction to Jesus' Words, but also it avoids a confession that brings healing and allows a band aid to be placed over a deep gash in one's soul.
I struggle in relationship with my human father, not that he was abusive, but absent, even when in the home, he was not there and a bit selfish when interacting with him. Thus, I do struggle to remember that my Heavily Dad is the One who does care and is always ready to listen to me.
Only is facing the pain is there hope.
Often I end up praying something such as, "I know you commanded be to honor my parents and Lord there are many good things, but this is the area my father has failed me, can you teach me what the Perfect Dad is like and help me in this area."
I must say by grace, He must have heard my plea. In study last Tuesday most were confessing struggling unanswered prayers and a sense of where is God, I struggle too, but more in one in the room not doing as I want (as a good parent can frustrate a two-year old by not giving in ... ;-) ) but since bringing that confession before the Lord, I not felt abandon in my struggles.
He commands us to honor those who many not always be honorable and to love those who often are not lovable, but in bringing the wounds into His light and confessing them, there is much more hope than trying to make a god that fits our image.
Although human fatherhood fails (at an ever growing rate), we have a Father who will not fail to deliver us.
thanks for this, BB. I enjoyed it a lot.
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