For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is the very spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ… (Romans 8:15-17)
Although I had listened to many sermons about Jesus inviting us to call God the “Father, Abba,” I didn’t really understand the power of this message until I witnessed a young boy crying out “Abba” to his own father.
I was on an airplane that had just landed. As the passengers were slowly working their way up the aisle, a man began nudging past others. When I exited the plane, I could see this same man was continuing to hurry forwards.
When I looked further up a long walkway, I saw a family trying to restrain a boy. After much squirming, that boy burst from their restraining hands and began to run full-tilt down the walkway.
At the same time, the man from the plane began to run full-tilt up the walkway to the boy. When I passed them, they were embracing and kissing each other. I then heard what the son was saying: “Abba. Abba. Abba. Abba.”
When I passed that father and son crying with joy for each other, I began to cry. That scene of love helped me to understand what Jesus had come to reveal. Call Almighty God, Poppy. Call the creator of all life, Daddy. Call the One who holds and rules the whole universe, Father.
I encourage you to see that God wants to embrace you with this kind of love and intimacy. As you imagine the passionate tenderness of that moment in the airport between the father and son, I hope you would imagine yourself in your Abba’s arms, with tears of joy streaming down both His face and your face.
Reflection Questions:
- Have you ever tried calling Almighty God “Abba?” Although it may feel like you are being a little too familiar with God, would you trust that Jesus has given you permission to do so?
- What would you like to say to your Abba right now? How do you need your Abba’s help, love, forgiveness, and support?
- If you always remembered and trusted that God is always and forever your Abba, how would your life change?