I imagine heads rolled and mouths dropped. Jesus just began with Abba – Daddy. That’s how we’re supposed to address the God of the Universe? What about “Holy, Infinite, Almighty, Omnipotent Creator of Heaven and Earth?” Wouldn’t that be more reverent? It might be okay for the Perfect Son to call God “Daddy,” but us? Is it really okay?
I have a friend who begins her prayers with “Dearest Dad.” I love it, but I recognize that calling God “Daddy” may not be easy for some. When we hear words like “Dad, Daddy, Father, Papa,” they automatically conjure up images that relate to our earthly fathers. I know many have come from homes of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and the thought of calling God “Dad” does not bring any sense of comfort whatsoever.
Earthly fathers make an impression on our lives; that’s how God designed the system. Men look to their fathers for love and affirmation. Daughters look to their fathers for affirmation of beauty and a sense of self worth. When this doesn’t happen, they go elsewhere. Some people are always looking to other men to be their father, some turn towards sexual relationships with men, and some turn to other addictive behaviors that give them the momentary sensation of affirmation, confidence, and love that they never received from their earthly dad.
The problem is that our earthly fathers and all other substitutes are imperfect. They’re imperfect because the world fell – sin entered in and flawed God’s perfect creation. However, our hearts still remember Eden. There’s something written, programmed within us that craves God our Daddy. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “God has set eternity on the human heart.” He is the only One who can truly father us, and He is the only One who can give us an identity, a love, and an affirmation that will never leave us wanting.
We are taught that it is good in this life to be independent, to take the car keys, and leave home. Society teaches us that a sign of maturity is not calling home to ask for money or help. However, brothers and sisters, this should not be applied to our spiritual homes. We were never meant to leave Eden, to say “I’m okay Dad; I don’t need your help.” That might be a sign of maturity on earth, but in the spiritual realm, it is reckless.
God is your perfect Father, and He has designed a home for you. It is a home of permanence, a home of rest. In my life, I realized that He is longing for me to be a little boy – the boy that runs through the field without a care in the world, the boy that stands with his dad in the line for ice cream not worrying if he’s going to have enough change to buy the treat. God said to me, “Let me be your dad. Trust me son. Let me father this family.”
Your hearts are aching for your Heavenly Father. There’s a reason. Paul explains this in Romans 8. “The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” Today, come home to Him. Today, sit in His presence and ask Him to father you. Say to Him, “Father, what is it you want to tell me?” Let Him speak the words of His heart into yours.