I was talking with a young man this morning who is reading my book Being Fathered for a Divine Purpose. He commented how thankful he is that God, as a parent, is committed to him. Through thick and thin, God as a parent IS committed to walk with us, help us grow, and nurture us to full development in our identity as His children. Perhaps because of life circumstances, difficult family dynamics or how we see ourselves, this is something we are continually learning to wrap our minds around. Learning to trust.
As a parent, I know what it is to feel a tenacious love toward my children—a love that fights for their future and invests in their well-being and development. At this very moment I’m watching the news of a couple who are searching Spain for their disappeared son—desperate for news that he’s alright. They are fighting for his future. I pray he is found and well.
As parents we work with different temperaments and stages in our children’s life. We love and are learning to love. And while our learning may be imperfect, I think what a child wants to know most is—are you committed to me? To love me on my journey no matter what it looks like at the moment? Will you keep investing in me and not give up?
God’s parental love is that kind of love. And what’s more, there is no imperfection in Him—no lack of patience, no misjudgments, no false assumptions, no over reactions. His love is relentless, consistent, full of mercy, will not give up on us, leave us, or get tired of us. He believes in us even when we don’t believe in ourselves. He corrects us because He sees our destiny and works tirelessly with us in gentleness and grace toward that end.
So when those thoughts come that make you question your value to Him, remember: Abba Father greatly values you, loves you, and is perfectly committed to you as His child.
“He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” Philippians 1:6
J. Nicole – Knowing God as Papa
