Ewald Schmidt

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:14-17

The concept of fatherhood is extremely damaged in today’s society. There are a lot of hurting people walking around with the scars they received in their relationships with their earthly fathers. Some have the hurt of totally absent fathers, who played no role in their lives at all. Others had fathers operating outside of God’s parameters of love, who left their kids in fear. A dad’s hurtful words can leave a child wondering if he or she will ever be good enough.

I understand the role of a father as someone who is there for their kids, to love them, protect them and guide them on the journey of life. But so many people never had this experience of a loving, caring father. There are a lot of men walking around without ever hearing their dad say that he loves them, or is proud of them.

A credible theory states that people unconsciously see God in the same way they have experienced their own earthly father. For some, it means someone totally absent from their lives, someone hurtful, or unreliable. Someone y ou have to be afraid of, you tread lightly in dad’s presence. You will never please him, some have experienced. The Holy Spirit wants to heal our concept of fatherhood. He wants us to know that we have a heavenly Father who loves us dearly. He has lovingly created us. We don’t ever need to fear being around him. I am always welcome in his presence, and he hears me when I call out to him. I am a child in my Father’s house, I am an heir – he shares his blessings with me.

When we think about the new life in the Spirit, this is one of the best discoveries – the Spirit leads us to know that we have a loving Father, we belong. We are not slaves but treasured children. Our lives on earth may be difficult when we follow in Jesus’ footsteps, but our destiny is the glory of our Father’s house.

Prayer: Lord, we live in a broken world, full of hurting people. Thank you for fathers who showed and taught their children the love of God. But Lord, not everybody had a dad like that. So many people have a deep hurt when they think about their earthly father. Will you please bring healing to those hurting hearts, and replace it with a true Father’s love? Holy Spirit, lead us to know our Father for who he really is – loving, kind, full of compassion and mercy. Help us to trust you, and love you, Abba Father! Amen.