Two Inches

Father, I should be calling you that. After reading my devotion this morning, Tim Keller made a strong point that the only time Jesus called you God was on the cross. Jesus died so that the father son and father daughter relationship could be restored. Because of that I am truly your son. I can call you father, and you call me son. This relationship is important to understanding. Who you are and how you play a role in my life? I think of all the son’s that have gone astray. The father was unable to influence a son in a way that was positive, or maybe a rebellious son. Relationship is way more complex than a two way street. I loathe this term when used to combat confrontation about relationship.

This is a narrow one way street that you have to get two semi trucks to pass thru with two inches to spare. The work cannot begin if neather truck is present. The work can not happen if one truck takes up the whole street. the work cannot happen if the trucks movements are only conducted from the point of view of a single truck. We talk about relationship being a two way street like it is simply just a reciprocating thing. One plus one equals two. It is not that simple. Discouragement is not my intention. This is encouraging when the truth is grasped that God is our father. Not just father but perfect father.

We are in a relationship with the maker. If the goal is to get these two semi’s to cross on a one way street than God is the perfect partner. His most pressing concern is us. Always rooting for us. He has the goal to get us to the other side. He always sees from our perspective because he often reveals that perspective to us. He always makes the proper maneuvers. His driving is impeccable. No matter how many the times we make mistakes and bump into things, he is there patiently waiting with no judgement and pure understanding. He never loses sight of the finish line and loves the journey. Created in His image for this purpose. Sometimes we think that gives us license to be reckless, certainly not. Often those that are reckless or impatient find themselves missing out on the joy of the journey. It is a long haul type of gig.

Each time we run into something and become damaged. He restores us. Not back to what we were before. His plan is much greater. Transforming us to something much better, more useful, powerful, wiser, humbler, patient, slower, more calculated. He transforms us to more like himself. No worldly idea or image of him but in the character of him. Love. Slowly opening our eyes to the surrounding that we couldn’t see. The things that made relationship so hard. We didn’t realize that it was a one lane road. We didn’t see the people on the sidewalk. We don’t see the kids crossing the street. We never knew what houses lined the street. Who our neighbors are. Timely, our Father reveals the things we had no idea existed.

I see and feel that now with my own children. They need a father that will help them open their eyes. Not a father that will guide them through the dark. Not one that will leave them to fend for themselves. One that will be right by their side never leaving and never hindering them from their eyes being open. That is the father I need to be and that is the Father I have in Heaven.

I literally just had this with my wife. I attempted to help. Both of our views were unable to perceive the two inches of separation. This created a bump which hurt each other. When I think the best of Katie, then I can absorb the hurt better and lessen the blow. I can see the two inches. When I am not thinking the best I get the opposite effect.