One of the most common descriptions in the Bible for God is a “Father.” I guess I’ve always seen this, but I’ve never really understood. My “earthly” father was a good man who always strived to provide for my brother and me. I believe that he loved me even though he didn’t always say it. As a result, I spent a lot of my childhood (and adulthood) believing that I had to earn his love and favor by always being on my best behavior or by doing well in school or by succeeding on the football field. It should serve as no surprise that this mentality crept into my understanding of my “heavenly” father. I’ve always assumed that so long as I didn’t sin, prayed every day, read my Bible, went to church, etc… that I would find favor with God. In times that I failed in any of these categories, I felt guilt and shame, and I hid myself from God for fear that he was angry with me or even worse: disappointed.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve realized that I’ve had it all wrong. You see, I’m a father now. And for the first time in my entire life I understand a father’s love. Believe me; nothing could have prepared me for the emotions that I felt as I held my daughter for the first time. I just met this little girl, but it feels as though I’ve always known her and that I’ve always loved her. She is my little girl and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for her and there is no length to which I wouldn’t go to protect her. She doesn’t have to earn my love; I will give it to her freely.
In the same way, I don’t need to earn God’s love and there is nothing I could do to make God not love me. The Bible tells me that God’s love for me is just like my love for my daughter only a whole lot stronger! My heart’s desire is that as Mia grows older, when she thinks of me, she will think, “wow, my dad really loves me!” And by my example, I hope she will know that she has a “heavenly father” who loves her even more!
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