God is Indescribable - Father

 

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:12–17 ESV).

 

Belonging to something bigger or greater than ourselves is something that nearly everyone wants. We experience moments of belonging at concerts, or sporting events, or community gatherings. In those moments we can feel like a member of our favorite musical group or like a player for our favorite sports team. We feel connected as we share stories with our neighbors and friends. We feel seen. We feel heard. We feel accepted. We may even feel loved.

 

God has a similar desire for us—he wants us to feel that we belong to him. God longs for us to feel connected to him, to be satisfied in knowing that he sees, hears, and accepts us. The difference, though, in belonging to God begins with his unconditional love and care for us. That kind of love happens when we accept and embrace that God’s love for us is so great and grand that he wants to satisfy our greatest desire of belonging by adopting us into his family and calling us his own. As a part of God’s eternal family, we are seen, we are heard, we are accepted, and we are loved by the unconditional love of our heavenly Father.

 

The title "Father" emphasizes a close, personal relationship rather than a distant or tyrannical one. It's a privilege earned through adoption into God's family via Jesus Christ. This role also includes providing for needs, guiding followers to do right, and correcting them through discipline for their good. A fatherly God is portrayed as loving, compassionate, and deeply invested in the well-being of his children. This love is often described as unconditional and provides a sense of safety.