I am in the process of finishing “The Good and Beautiful God”, a book by Bryan Smith that is helping me to understand my God better. It really struck me when the writer penned: “The most important thing about a person is what they think about God.” And further down he continues with: “What we think about God – what we think God is like – will determine the relationship we have with God. If we think of God as harsh and demanding, we will probably cower in fear and keep our distance from God. If we think of God as a vague and impersonal force in the universe, we will probably have a vague and impersonal relationship with this god. If we have low or false views of God, we are actually committing a form of idolatry, worshiping a false god.”
In the past, I have had my own wrong perceptions of God; indeed, I have viewed Him as harsh and demanding. My earthly father used to be like that, although he tried to be gentler when he got older. I feared him so much that my distorted view of him never changed and I did not dare to approach him, even when I was an adult. My relationship with my earthly father closely resembled how I viewed my Heavenly Father. Even when my own father tried to change the wrong image I had in my mind, I was stuck to the old picture I had. Actually, I should blame myself more and my cowardly behavior, more than my father and his harshness, for this failure in our relationship.
How do you view God? Do you have the right perspective of Him as a loving, tender, forgiving, and gracious father? If not, go back to your Bible and rediscover who He really is. James 1:17 portrays Him well: ‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.’
Father, forgive me for the wrong view I’ve had of you for so many years. Draw me closer to you, and help me to become a son that feels and experiences your great love so that I can then pass it on to others.
End of article.