I distinctly remember when as a young kid coming home from school. I was in the second grade. I was doing nothing unusual, just walking home. When I got to my front yard, I was met with an angry father that accused me of wasting time on my way back from school. I was then given a spanking for something to this day I still have no clue as to what I did wrong. Later in my life my parents got divorced and my father became just a figure that I saw maybe one time a year.
These types of events mold our mental image of who a father is. It also affects our ability to relate to God as a heavenly Father, and not in a positive light.
So let me ask you a couple of questions. Do you view God as some stern authoritarian figure that dishes out punishment from a lofty throne on high? Do you fear that if you get out of step, that you will be punished with trials and tribulations in your life? Or possibly, because of this view do you tell God to take take a long walk on a short pier, (forgetting He walks on water) because you cannot relate nor would you want to serve someone who is like this?
Christians and even many church leaders carry this view, and even portray our heavenly Father in this light. It seems like all they can talk about is sin (which is actually a term from the greek that comes from archery that means missing the bull's eye). and how God is going to come down and punish the sinners. If you have been hurt by such people, on behalf of all I hold dear, and my own understanding of who God is, I want to apologize for my misled brothers and sisters.
I have learned two valuable lessons concerning relating to our heavenly Father. They are very simple yet profound. I will briefly give them to you here, but you can find them in fuller understanding on my blog.
1. Our heavenly Father is not sitting waiting with a giant celestial hammer to whack you with if you get out of line. Instead He is waiting patiently on His porch looking at the horizon for His child to return. Luke 15:11-32.
2. That our heavenly Father is not like earthly fathers in as such He only gives good gifts. Matt. 7:11
These two principles revolutionized my life. No longer could I view God through the lense of how my earthly father treated me. God is not waiting at home to give you a beating, He is waiting for you to clothe you and give you a party. So different from what I grew up with! How about ??
Author Resource:
You can find related articles at Pastor Duke's Blog. It is one of the up and coming Premier Christian blogs rated at #126 on Technorati in the religion category. Here are a couple of other articles you might be interested in. Have Faith in your Heavenly Father
Intimacy with Christ
There are over 80 articles to help you grow spiritually and emotionally at Taber's Truths along with a free bible study to download and free audio sermons and a way to set up personal 1 on 1 counseling with Pastor Duke. I hope you come and pay a visit!
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