Thoughts on Father

In the past few years (even decades...yes I am getting older) there have been many people who want to get rid of the image of God as Father.  The Feminists say that it misrepresents God, since God is not male.  Some say that since so many were abused by their earthly father that thinking of God that way is hurtful.  I undestand and sympathize with both these views, but I think we can go too far in the other direction.

I believe that as long as we lift up other images of God, like the mother who would not forsake her suckling child, the bird that shelters you under it's wings, the rock and fortress that protects you, then father is also a helpful image.  I think we need all the images of God to even begin to understand the majesty and Glory of our creator.

A couple of thoughts on the protests.  No, God is not male, God is God.  But there are aspects of the father image that are true and can better help us come to know God.  Also, eartly fathers are human!  None of them live up to the image of God.  If you had a bad father on earth, thinking of God as the perfect father can give hope for a love that was not found here.

As Father's Day approaches I think the most valuable reason to keep the image of God as Father is to give our earthly fathers an example to live up to.  The best human fathers reflect God in the way they care for their families.

For a clear image of God as Father, we just need to look at the Prodigal Son.  (You can find it in Luke, chapter 15, verse 11 and following if you want to read it for yourself.)  The Father was generous.  He gave his ungrateful son half of the inheritance.  He let the son be his own person.  He didn't tell him he shouldn't leave the farm.  He let his son go out and discover his own way.  But in spite of it all the father still truely loved the son.  He went to the gate every day to watch for his return.  He was patient.  The father didn't come after the son when he had been gone too long.  When the son returned, the father was gracious and forgiving.  He welcomed him with open arms, letting the son know that his father truely loved him no matter how much he had messed up.

Finally, the father even took time out of the welcome home party to seek out the older son that was pouting.  He loved all of his children equally, wanted the best for them, and wanted them to be happy.  This is the image of God as Father that is dear to my heart.  I think we lose something if we get rid of this vivid story that helps us understand the nature of God.

For all you fathers out there.  You are blessed, because you have the best role model ever!  Blessings on you this Father's Day.  May you strive to reflect our heavenly Father more and more each day.