In my last post, I argued that in answering the question Who is God, we can boldly declare that God is my father. But with God as a father, what images does that conjure up for you? Many people’s view of God is determined, at least to some degree, by their own earthly fathers. Said another way, has your view of God been influenced by what your own dad was like? I can’t help but wonder if the reason that so many people have a distorted view of God is because their own fathers were imperfect and flawed.
Let me be clear on this – This isn’t a blog to beat up on dads. Fathers aren’t perfect, but neither are mothers, or aunts or uncles, or siblings. Only God is perfect. I think fathers have the hardest job in the world, partly due to the fact that as a father, they are a representative of God on earth, and as such, they are a huge target to the enemy. But that said, has your view of God been skewed because, perhaps even subconsciously, you have feelings about who God is based on your relationship with your own dad? But what if those feelings just aren’t true? Is your view of God skewed because your own dad was imperfect? Ask God to search your heart.
Only God is perfect. Don’t expect any one else to be. At the same time, don’t assume that the weaknesses you saw in your dad are also in your heavenly Father. Unlike our earthly fathers, God’s love is perfect, pure, and limitless. God the Father will never let you down. He will always do what is best for you. He will always be there for you.