FATHERS

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places – Ephesians 1:3 

Jesus referred to God as a father – not just a father, but a daddy. Jesus invited his followers into a tender, personal, loving relationship with God as one who nurtures, cares, protects, defends, and always listens and loves. This directly contradicted the concept of a god who was detached, who existed only to judge, who was to be feared and obeyed. When Jesus calls our God a father, Jesus reminds us that our God actually cares about us and wants a relationship with us. 

We can use lots of different language when we refer to God. The Bible itself says that God is a rock, is light, a shepherd, a potter, a shield, a fortress, and so much more. These metaphors give us ways to consider who God is and what God does. It doesn’t mean that God is literally made of stone, or a source of light, or a person who makes clay bowls. Similarly, using language like father to refer to God doesn’t mean that God is male or that fatherhood is the primary way to consider our relationship with God.  

This matters for two reasons. First, it’s deeply limiting to think of God as male, both for God and for us. We have no way to assume that gender as we experience it strictly applies to God, especially when we hear that we’re made in God’s image. Second, thinking of God as a father can be at best problematic and at worst actively hurtful for those with difficult experiences with fathers. For those whose fathers have died, whose father was distant or abusive, or who never felt a strong father figure, thinking of God as a father can be difficult.   

As we approach Father’s Day, this hurt can be so much bigger. There are people who wish to be fathers but can’t, people whose children are distant or have ended their relationships, people who never wanted to be fathers and are trying to live into the role, and so much more. For many of us, Father’s Day is a joyful occasion to celebrate and recognize father figures of many kinds. For the rest of us, it’s another reminder of the way things aren’t what they should be.  

We can consider how we talk about God and how it encourages (or discourages) a meaningful faith relationship. This weekend, I hope you’ll consider what language you use for God and how it might diversify, giving witness to the many ways you know God in your life and how it invites others into that relationship. I hope you’ll also widen your perspective on fatherhood, making room for those who father without the title and those with fraught relationships with fathers and children. With compassion and inclusion, we truly live out the desire of our God who wants to love and care for all people. 

Let us pray: 

God our Father, remind us of your continuing love and care. Where humans have failed us, where relationships are broken, where our disappointments linger, be the source of our restoration and hope. Point us to those who reflect your love and light. Encourage us as we lift up those who truly model your grace and compassion. We pray in the name of your Son. Amen.