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“Where do we get the notion that God is eager to punish us?”

A thought by Leonard Sweet, (2012-03-13) from his book, What Matters Most: How We Got the Point but Missed the Person (Kindle Locations 2119-2120). Random House, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

Maybe it is from our own fathers.  I’m so fortunate that I don’t serve a God like that because I had a father who wasn’t like that.  So many times our view of God comes from our view of our own father and for so many that is so tragic.

I tell you the abuse that is handed out to so many children from someone who is their father is atrocious.  That is the most unbelievable, horrible thing that a man could every do, to abuse a child, especially if they are their father.  This world is so messed up in its relationships.  It’s no wonder that people have problems with serving a God that we call father. 

Could you ever please your father?  If you are a father can your kids ever please you?  That is so tragic. 

Well, let me tell you can please God.  Yes there is a prodding sometimes to get back on course as there was with my father but it is always done in love.  You always know that He loves you and that He does what He does out of love.  Let me tell you, you can very much please God.  He gets great pleasure from His kids.

One of the most difficult days of my life was when I got the phone call from California that my dad had been killed in a traffic accident.  It was devastating but that will never happen with my heavenly Father.  I can follow a different path but He will be in the area waiting for me when and if I turn back to Him.   He never leaves me even when I leave Him.

What a Father He is.  I can also say the same about my earthly father because He led me to Him and lived as an example before me.  I want to also be that kind of father even in these later years.  It’s a different role but it is still a vital one in showing what a father is all about. 

No, God is not eager to punish us.  He is eager to meet our needs.  That’s what an authentic father does.  I’m sorry if your father wasn’t like that.  Understand though that God has placed someone around you who will show you what an authentic father is all about.  Just start looking.  Church can be a good place to start, hopefully.

So what kind of father are you?    
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