But let’s return to the mountain for a moment. While I sat resting at the top, I had positioned myself on a rock in the last bit of shade. That position allowed me a view along the path coming up the mountain, as well as the two paths that lead to the two sides of the summit overlooks that are open to the elements and the blazing sun.
After having settled for only a few minutes, I became aware of a young man approaching from lower along the trail. What first brought my attention to him was his loud and very harsh scolding several minutes before I saw him. “Get back here!”, “Go that way!”, “Pay attention! Do you see that yellow? Go to it!” [The yellow he referred to are rectangular splotches of paint found on rocks and trees that designate that trail’s path.] He was soon again scolding about staying on the path. A few more minutes brought him and his adorable little daughter of about 5 years of age into view. She walked ahead of him picking her way through the rocky trail. She didn’t look as if she hated the trek, but she didn’t look enthusiastic either. As she neared, her eyes fell on me. She stared at me as she walked. I smiled at her, and she responded with a bright smile in return as they passed me continuing to the uncovered summit. Only minutes later, the young man was scolding her again. “Stand right there.”, “Stand up!”, “Stand up and don’t move!”, “Didn’t I tell you not to move? Then why are you moving?”, “Stand right there!”, “Stop crying or I will spank you!” These were the last words I heard between them as they soon passed me again on their descent walking hand in hand.
A short while later I heard the voice of another young man ascending on the trail. He was speaking gently and calmly, so I had less time to wait before I was able to see him. He was about the same age as the first young man, and he too had a child with him. On his hip and supported by his right arm, he carried his son who appeared about 4 years old. He kept a running commentary telling the boy that they were almost at the top, that they were very close, when they got there they’d get to see the lake and the river and boats, and asked the boy if that wouldn’t that be cool. The boy silently listened from his father’s arm and took in all the sights around him as his father carried him across the rocky trail.
To be clear, I have no doubt that both men loved their children. I do not wish to convey anything to the contrary, but the stark differences between the two scenes immediately struck with me.
Even from this rather brief description of what I witnessed, you too can probably see a rich source of various facets and aspects to consider, but I am going to focus on one aspect. What I want to note is related to Christians only because it is dealing specifically with the aspect of a father/child relationship between God and His people. Unbelievers are excluded from this because, while all people are God’s creations, only those who believe on Jesus for their salvation to eternal life are His children (although the offer to become God’s children is always an open invitation to unbelievers who could then experience Him too).
He [Jesus] came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:11-13)
Father #1
When his child unknowingly strayed from the path, his reaction was hostile rather than gentle with kind directions or even leading the way himself carefully showing the correct path for the child to follow in his footsteps.
His only words were those of anger, harsh correction, and threats that brought his child sorrow, tears, and fear.
What should have been a time used to strengthen bonds, for fellowship, and enjoyment for the child was instead a time dominated by the father’s anger and force.
Father #2
When his child grew weary or might have strayed, he carried him across the rough terrain at a cost to himself.
All of his words were spoken lovingly and told of their future and the wonderful things they would experience together and brought expectation and delight.
The father used the time they shared together to strengthen the bond between him and his child, and he made sure the child shared enjoyment and love with him.
Many people see God as father #1. They imagine an angry, distant God menacingly threatening us when we mess up, always ready to spank us, just mere seconds from smacking us, and allowing us to suffer in sorrow and pain.
God, however, shows us time and again that He is more like father #2. Scriptures throughout both the Old and New Testaments express this fatherly love He has for His children. He is loving, patient, kind, providing, and generous. Here are only a few passages:
A father’s protection:
The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever. (Psalm 121:7-8)
A father’s faithfulness:
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
A father’s desire to help:
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. (Matthew 23:37)
A father’s hopes and plans:
“For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
A father’s love:
Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. (Psalm 103:13)
A father’s attentiveness:
"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Luke 12:7a)
A father’s patience:
But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth. (Psalm 86:15)
A father’s comfort:
The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. The righteous cry, and the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. (Psalm 34:15, 17)
A father’s provision:
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11)
A father’s direction:
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)
A father’s correction:
For whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:12)
A father’s forgiveness:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
While it is an unfortunate truth that our earthly fathers are not perfect and will make mistakes including irritated outbursts, we can rest assured that our heavenly Father is perfect. He is perfect in love, in forgiveness, in provision, in protection, and in guidance. God isn’t a father out to terrorize you or beat you into a pulp for messing up. He’s not sitting in heaven with His fist poised over your head to hammer you into the ground like a penny nail. He’s a father who loves you, forgives you, corrects you so that you learn right from wrong, who provides for your needs, who comforts you when you hurt, guides your paths, and delights in you.
Have you spent time with your Dad lately?
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(As an aside, I just wanted to point out a couple of things that I found intriguing and that tell me this was another “God moment” lesson for me. First, the weekend after this took place is father’s day and the event that unfolded for me was one that revolved around fathers. Secondly, I found it interestingly unusual that neither pair had a mother present; it was just a father and a small child. I will leave those for you to ponder.)
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[Originally written: January 19, 2018]
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