Father God

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17)

I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, that growing up we as a family never bought into the whole ‘special days of celebration’ deal other than for birthdays and even they were not major occasions.

So when it came to Mother’s Day and Father’s Day we weren’t too bothered about it at all.  Calling my Dad today and my poor wife walked right into it by wishing him a ‘happy father’s day’.  Dad informed her that we didn’t go into that kind of stuff and the reason why is the same reason why we don’t do other special days.  The thing that the special day is meant to commemorate is a quality that we’re supposed to be celebrating every day.  If I need a special day to remember why my Mum is special or my Dad is special that probably says heaps about the position my parents are in anyway.

That’s not to say I denigrate the day and people celebrating it, cos although it was good for my Dad and me ol’ family home to do without it, I know that my brother and his family are happy to celebrate it.  So it’s no big deal and all the sentiments about the thing are well meaning and the palaver, whatever.

My own personal perspective reflects my dad’s.  Deborah and Abigail are at an age now when they may want to do the whole happy father’s day jazz, and it’s something mentioned in the school that they go to.  For all that though, it’s been another regular Sunday with nothing special of note at all.  That’s all good with me, I can do without the fuss (although I could have done with a break, but hey that’s what family’s for, right?)

When I woke up this morning, though, I was reminded of my heavenly Father.

Slight diversion here for a little theological quibble.

There are a number of thoughts leading towards referring to Jesus Christ as my Father.  For example there’s a song that says Jesus is my Daddy-o.  I get confused about things like that.  I get confused, because I’m meant to accept God as Father and Jesus as Father.  Now if Jesus is the Father – that’s not a problem … other than the small dilemma of if He’s Father, who is He praying to?

Also if He’s Father, why does He stress to His disciples the importance of His Father as someone separate to Himself.  Also, if He’s Father, why does His followers keep on referring to Him and God separately almost as if Jesus isn’t Father?  Also, if He’s Father, why is He referred to as our brother?  That’s got to be complicated – you’re my Dad and you’re my brother at the same time?  I know this deity thing is a mystery, but some mysteries are mysterious as to be non-existent.  That is to say this whole Jesus as Daddy deal is a non-starter because He’s not my Dad.  That’s what I believe according to what I’ve seen in scripture, but I’m always open to others who have a differing opinion to share with me where they’re coming from.

OK back to the point when I woke up I was thinking about the Fatherhood of God and recalled that reference in James.  One of the things I thank God for providing is opportunity.  I am grateful for a Father who doesn’t make things easy for me, but gives opportunities to discover things that I would not have appreciated or made the most of in any other circumstance.

When I thought of my marriage in the light of the wedding anniversary last week, I was thinking again about how Abraham arranged.  Here’s a loving father who didn’t want his son to marry any old woman, he wanted the best, so he sought out the best in the most rigorous fashion possible and from there the rest is history.

I thought that in a very real way the heavenly Father set up my own marriage that way.  It’s as if it was arranged, but all in the way that God was giving me the opportunity.  even as throughout the marriage I get opportunities every day to discover the beauty in my wife.  It’s not something that’s just laid on a plate for me to take for granted, it is something to explore and seek.

The same works in my relationship with God and ongoing searching for His Kingdom in daily living.  the good gifts are there, and they are all sent by him, if I but look for him, if I but look for the chance to see what He will reveal.  That’s not a Father who controls by dictation, or by pressure, but through love and discipline.  What an amazing Father, and this is just the beginning of how He treats His children.  Oh how I love to learn these things in order to help me out on how I should be a Dad to my own children.  That’s the only fatherhood that matters, and is a Fatherhood I get to celebrate day after day even as I get to pray to my Father in heaven.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd