JI Packer says a Christian is someone who has God as His Father. He goes on to write, “you sum up the whole New Testament teaching in a single phrase, if you speak of it as a revelation of the Fatherhood of the holy Creator.”
These statements made me stop when I read them. On the World Race, I encountered people who would pray to their Papa, Abba or Father. I’m not sure why because I grew up hearing how God was Our Father, but it seemed strange to me to pray to God as my Father.
I would usually pray to Jesus or my Lord.
For ministry this month, we preach each night. So God led me to study more about this idea that my Creator as my Father. In the gospels, over and over again Jesus speaks about God as His father and as ours. He tells to pray to Our Heavenly Father.
I decided to look for a story about a father’s relationship with his child. The story of Abraham and Isaac stuck out to me. As I read this story, I realized how much Isaac trusted and obeyed his father.
Abraham told him to carry the wood up the hill, to let him be bounded and placed on the altar. You don’t see in the story that Isaac rebelled, complained or argued with His father. Instead, Isaac knew without doubt his father loved him. Even when the circumstances didn’t make sense, Isaac trusted in His father’s love. I can’t imagine what Isaac was thinking as his beloved father lifted up the knife. But maybe he saw tears in his father’s eyes, or maybe he saw his faith that everything would be made right. Regardless, Isaac held on to truth — truth of His father’s love and His good plans for him.
I think I struggled with praying to God my Father because I struggled to trust that God is good. His plans for me are good. Over and over again, God my Father has demonstrated His love for me. He calls me by name, speaks to me and gives me more than I can imagine. Yet, I tend to focus on my unmet expectations and my doubts.
But I’m done letting fear and doubts rule me. God my Father knows me better than I know myself and He knows exactly what I need. My life so far has not been what I expected but it has brought me here. It has brought me to Rwanda – this beautiful, passionate and amazing country. He orchestrated the Race and my teams. I trust Him to lead me in paths of life. I trust Him to keep me secure in Him. I trust His provision and beautiful inheritance. I am His daughter. As I trust Him, it makes it easier to obey Him. It makes me want to obey Him in the little daily habits and in the big scary risks. 🙂
I get frustrated with myself that I must keep reminding myself of these truths. But thanks be to God who keeps holding my right hand and never lets me go.
I encourage to read Genesis 22 and think about Isaac’s viewpoint. I also encourage you to meditate on Psalm 16 – Our Father in heaven is a good good Father and we must cling to His promises for us. As a Christian, Our Father wants an intimate relationship with us and only through Jesus Christ can we know Him. I challenge you to think about how you view God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. How we view God changes EVERYTHING.
Love you all. I will see you SOON!
