God calls us His children, and Jesus calls us brothers and sisters. The Church has this close-knittedness to it, as we consider the depth of relationship we have with God as well as each other.
He is our Heavenly Father. We can see how Jesus views the Father from the Gospels; with love and honour, as they have an intimate connection to one another. And you see… that sort of relationship is now extended to us.
Picture a young child who finds such comfort and peace by curling up in their father’s lap. There they find refuge, protection, safety, and their true identity as a beloved child. We can experience this with the Heavenly Father!
I’ve been reminded this week of what it means to have childlike faith - to let my guard down with the Father, to turn to Him at all times, asking for clarity on the big things and the little ones. He is so near to us, and longs to see us engage with Him in these ways. In a hyper-independent world, we know that we are dependent on the Heavenly Father, for all that we have. He is good, kind, and never far.
My prayer is that this week, as you face unique circumstances - whether joy or sorrow - that you would remember that he is your Heavenly Father. That you can crawl up beside Him and find just what you need there. He cares for you. May you hear His gentle whisper, always calling you back to Him.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” ~ 1 John 3:1a NIV
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” ~ Psalms 62:1-2 NIV
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” ~ John 1:12 NIV
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” ~ Galatians 3:26-29 NIV
