When You Mess Up

God is primarily a good Father who teaches his sons and daughters—not a teacher who occasionally fathers his students. 

When we get that mixed up, it muddies our view of who God is and who we are.

God is far more interested in spending time together with you than in wanting you to get your act together or teaching you a lesson. Though he is a magnificent teacher, he is first your Father. You’re not a number in a classroom but his son or daughter whom he fully knows, loves, and pursues.

Hold tight to this view of God. Yes, when things are going well. But even more so when you mess up. I love how this quote (source unknown) distinguishes the two competing views we hold of God and ourselves.

Religion: "I messed up. My Dad is going to kill me."

Sonship / Daughterhood: "I messed up. I need to call my Dad."

How you know God is how you will interpret life. Perhaps that’s why the first two ways God makes himself known in Genesis are as Creator and Father. Which means you are a son or daughter of the most creative being ever. More than an interesting fact, it’s an invitation to pursue what you most love…with your Dad.

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters…” (2 Corinthians 6:18 NIV)

This reading was crafted to encourage your pursuit of story and creativity with God. Your donation makes this crowd-funded initiative possible. You can support it via PAYPAL (or by check to Allen Arnold at PO Box 62841, Colorado Springs, CO 80962).

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