Our Father in heaven?

It’s so easy to think of heaven as something like this cartoon by Jeff Larson (fluffy white clouds, hallows and white robes):

But let's get it straight from here: heaven is not a fluffy place of pleasurable nice things. Heaven is the Kingdom of God. It is where God has His rightful rule as King over all. Our Father in heaven is this almighty king.

So what? Well, rather than an old, fuzzy grey-bearded daddy, we have an almighty king. We may be His children but we’re also His subjects – He is the Boss, and we are to do His bidding.*

People so often talk of the difficulty of God as Father for those who have had abusive, absent or lousy fathers. Although this is true, I think it is even more true that none of us have experience of the true kingship and supreme authority of the Father in heaven. In fact, due to history’s disastrous dictators, we are far more comfortable with a democratic fatherhood where some authority lies with us. Unfortunately, this is not the Fatherhood of God. He holds the whole world in His hands to supremely govern by His will and ultimately to judge according to His holiness. There is no higher authority.

Is it just me that finds this a little uncomfortable?

I sometimes find it hard to bow before God in complete surrender. It is a struggle against my self-sufficiency, my pride and my sense of self-worth. And yet, God has challenged me to accept Him as a holy and kingly Father, not limited to the extent of Fatherhood on earth. You see, on earth we grow away from the authority of our father as we grow up. But in heaven (including the element of heaven that begins as we accept the sacrifice of Christ), the more we grow up, the more bound we are into the Father’s will, and the more He demands of us in obedience.

I want to grow up in God. And I know that my surrender to God’s will brings me more freedom and joy than my own will can ever bring. So I’m determined to realise the vision of the Bible, where my God, my loving Father, is also my awesome King and the ultimate authority in my life – a Father who lives in Heaven, and whose very name is Holy.

*Luckily, He is also infinitely all-knowing, just and loving, so His bidding is always right.

Father, bring me onto my knees before You. Help me to surrender to Your will, and find infinite love and freedom there. Be the King of my heart, my head and my will, so that I would find myself living to serve you with joy and new-found freedom. Amen.