For all who are being
led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a
spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of
adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:14,15
The Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, the Alpha and
the Omega is also our Abba, Daddy. I
admit that even though I have embraced this truth more than a quarter of a
century ago, I still marvel at its amazing mystery.
We are not adopted into God family based on our genetic
makeup, nationality or religion. Neither have we earned it by our excellent
behavior, superior intelligence and flawless track-record of rule-keeping. Nor do we attain it by the strength of our
willpower and unwavering determination. The unfathomable privilege is ours
solely on the basis of the death and the resurrection of God’s own Son who secured
our adoption papers. We enter into this
life of amazing privilege by receiving the gift through faith. I have 24-7 unlimited access to the Universe’s
Oval Office because it is my Dad and my Brother who sit there?!!! I still
scratch my head over this.
My earthly dad, my tata
is one of the kindest, most patient man I know.
All my life I knew nothing but his day-in, day-out unconditional,
sacrificial love for me, my sister and our family. Even though my dad isn’t perfect, our
relationship has made it easy for me to transfer that fearless trust, that adoring
child-like confidence to my relationship with God as my heavenly Father. My heavenly Tata.
I am fully aware that
most people don’t share such positive experience with their earthly dads. Some dads are impossible to please in their perfectionistic demands. Some escape the responsibilities and stresses of life through alcohol, substance abuse, pornography
or adultery. Others avoid tumultuous family relationships by being absent either physically or emotionally,
or both, immersing themselves in work, virtual reality or an all-consuming
hobby. Some dads, out of their own brokenness, sense of impotence, bondage and guilt become violent and abusive - emotionally, physically, verbally and even sexually. The damage that is done is truly incalculable.
Our relationship with our earthly dads will color our
perception of our heavenly Dad. Adoring trust. Avoidance. Absence. Abuse. Some of us may need healing for the deep, deep wounds we experienced along the way. All
of us need daily renewal of our minds and hearts as God’s
Spirit reveals though His Word the truth of His love and our adoption, until we confidently cry out, Abba! Daddy! Tata!
Lord Jesus, thank you
for making it possible for us to call God our Abba, Daddy. Open the eyes of our hearts to this mystery
and transform us from the inside-out by its marvel. Heal the wounds of those who have been brokenhearted through their father's (and mother's) absence, avoidance or abuse. May our 'filial imprinting' come from You and not from this broken world. Amen.
For Further Reflection:
What is/was your relationship with your earthly dad like? How do you see it influencing your perception of God as your heavenly Father? Are there areas of brokenness that need to be healed and restored?
For Further Reflection:
What is/was your relationship with your earthly dad like? How do you see it influencing your perception of God as your heavenly Father? Are there areas of brokenness that need to be healed and restored?
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