Always A Father First

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”John 3:16

The God of the Holy Bible is a Father first. He is the God who puts the emphasis of life on relationship. His love for His children can be seen even from the beginning of time. Since creation He has always been moving toward His children – especially when they are pulling away.

He lovingly created life in the form of His first two children, a man named Adam and a woman named Eve. The male/female union would continue the sacredness of life by bringing children into the world and into relationship with God.

God gave His children a slice of heaven by placing them in the Garden of Eden. In need of nothing, Adam and Eve simply enjoyed the beauty of their surroundings. Daily walks and intimate one-on-one conversation with their Father God were the norm.

Parents have a mature wisdom their children do not yet have, so like a good parent God put boundaries in place for safety. Because of God’s fatherly desire to protect His children, He had one rule in His garden: do not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

With a selfless love, Father God also gave Adam and Eve the gift of choice. What father truly loves his children if he does not give them the opportunity to choose to love him in return? After all, what is love if not a choice?

Adam and Eve saw the tree quite often while exploring the garden, enjoying the beauty and playing with the animals. They began to talk more and more about the tree. They allowed their thoughts to be consumed with the tree.

When they chose to disregard their Father’s warning, thinking He was withholding something they were entitled to, they acted on their own desires. They ate the fruit—and gave birth to sin.

They had only known good in the Garden, now, like God, they knew evil. For the first time in their existence, they felt guilt and shame yet, unlike God, they had no power or authority over it. Their response was to pull away from their Father.

Father God’s first response was to go to His children. Even though they had sinned against Him, His heart had been to protect them from what they were now exposed to, not to withhold anything that was good for them.

Because of His love for them, He went looking for them, calling their names. He asked, “Where are you”, not because He lost them but because their hearts had moved far from Him. They confessed it was because they were naked. No longer able to stand in complete openness with God, they hid from Him absorbed in their guilt.

What was the Father’s response to seeing the consequences of their choice? He clothed them. With His own hands He provided animal skins to cover them.

While we get to choose our sin, we do not get to choose our consequences.

God closed the Garden to Adam and Eve so they could not eat from the Tree of Life and therefore live forever separated from Him. God also cursed everything outside the garden. With sweat and pain we now have to pull from the earth what we need to survive.

Sin separates us from Father God, and the consequence for our sin is our death. Even if God had removed the Tree of Life and left Adam and Eve in the beauty of the Garden where all their needs would be met, they could not escape death, their new reality. In their sin they were destined to die … and be separated from their Father.

What father would allow His children to die without ever giving them the slightest warning or indication? Discomfort, sadness, pain are all signs that this is not where we belong. When God cursed creation, He put into action a daily reminder of the truth that this life is not what He had originally intended for us.

Adam and Eve’s choice to rebel against God’s safety instruction introduced sin and death. It has separated us from relationship with God. We are dead in our sin.

He watches His children endure pain and suffering, separated from eternity with Him. Is there anything left for this Father to do?

He sent His One and Only Son Jesus Christ to make the way. Taking what Christ did on the cross and making it personal allows us access to the Father’s heart once again. We can run the halls of heaven, push open the throne room doors, and approach His throne. We can climb into His lap and say we’re home Daddy.

Now LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!

These questions are in no way a substitute for healthcare professionals or any level of professional counseling. I’m an advocate for taking care of oneself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, that is my heart, NOT my profession.

This questionnaire is an opportunity to journal your thoughts and feelings. It can serve as a launching pad on which to evaluate your heart condition as you understand it. My hope is that you will take what you discover and hold it up to the Light to evaluate it against who God says you are.

• If you were at a pool and a toddler was walking toward the pool’s edge, what would you do?
• Why would you do that? What would the toddler’s consequences be if you do not attempt to intervene?
• Do you think God would do the same thing for you if He saw you in a situation that could cause you harm?
• Are there posted rules intended to keep swimmers safe?
• Do you think the 10 Commandments could serve the same purpose … to keep people safe?

Use God’s word to take control over traumas in your life. Whenever you feel terrorized by your thoughts, take them captive by replacing them with the truth of God’s promises found in His word.

Print, then cut and carry this Scripture with you and/or post it in places where you will see it often. Ground yourself in God’s truths not Satan’s attacks. Encourage your heart and mind every time you are reminded of His great love for YOU!

Here is what God’s word says about His unfailing, relentless, unending love for you:

If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is.” 2 Timothy 2:13 (NASB)

When you read this scripture say to yourself out loud: Even if I mess up and make a bad choice, Christ will not leave me or take away His promises. My actions do not change Him or His promises to me.

Now LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!