OUR FATHER

If we can’t call God, Father, there is apt to be an orphan sound to our voice when we talk to the Lord. When we can call and know God as Father, we are family, accepted, loved and wanted. If God is something other than Father… we are visitors.

This reminds me of a quote by Brené Brown, professor and author: “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.”

If God isn’t Father, there is possibly the protected and impersonal identities of Creator, Source, Mystery, Unknown, Power, Energy or many other such names that give distance from intimacy and any relationship into an intellectual acknowledgement of simply “something bigger than we are …’out there.’” This is also lifeless and easily managed by our own hand and mind. Orphans are very careful not “to get too close…” They have been burned before.

The Father burns no one relationally. Religion might… culture might…the Father doesn’t. The Father wants to love, accept and forgive everyone into the family. We must decide on our end if we want and can do that. The Father’s end of the deal is settled. If we remain with an orphan heart… that also becomes our god and who we are… we are safely and carefully all our own. Scary.

“If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Jesus