Together We Think

The Return of the Prodigal Son - Rembrandt

What is your view of God? For most their view has been shaped by the family they were raised in or the church they grew up in. For many that was a devastating picture of God because those influences were evil rather than good or at best complacent rather than intentional. For me, my primary view of God has been as the righteous judge. That is what was emphasized in my church and in my home. The danger of writing the last statement is it could come across as judgmental toward my church and family, but in reality my parents and church were just passing on what they were taught and what they believed to be the most important aspect of walking with God.

However, in more recent days as I have been combing through scripture, it has come to my attention that Jesus referenced God primarily as his Father. Which got me to thinking, why don’t I view God primarily as a loving father rather than a righteous judge? A Heavenly Father with arms opened wide. Not waiting with a gavel in hand, but waiting with a warm embrace and a welcoming heart. A warm embrace? A welcoming heart? I wish that this is more of the God I know.

I love this painting by Rembrandt because it shows a different side of God as one who embraces me and fully accepts me regardless of my tattered shoes, my dirty appearance and my restless soul. This is the God I want to know!

What about you? Righteous Judge or Loving Father? What God do you know and what God would you like to know?