Last week, my son-in-law lost his granddad, “Papaw”, who has had a huge impact on his life. If you ask Ryan who’s been the biggest influence on his life, he will quickly tell you that it is two men, Papaw and his dad. Did Papaw go around quoting verses out of the Bible? No, but he along with Ryan’s dad demonstrated what hard, honest work looks like. Ryan tells a funny story about Papaw paying him in “cold hard cash” when he did work for him. Papaw would put the cash owed in the freezer paying Ryan in “cold hard cash.” Papaw spoke straightforwardly never “beating around the bush.” Most importantly, Papaw loved and cherished his wife and family. Ryan has been blessed and challenged by Papaw’s life.
I hesitate to talk about the impact of men in our lives. Many (male and female), have not had a similar experience as Ryan in our lives. In fact, it has moved from “many” to “most” who have not had a positive role model from neither a dad nor a grandfather. When asked about the male influence in their lives, often people speak in a harsh, cold, hurtful way. Gigantic holes are left in our lives in the resulting rubble. Enormous self-image issues, lack of direction, unforgiveness, and bitterness are left behind. A vacuum remains in lives that is frequently being filled in ungodly, hurtful, unhealthy ways.
There is wonderful, good news that can transform deep wounds into wholeness. Our Heavenly Father has made it possible through His Son to adopt us and minister to us personally into the deepest wounds of our mind and hearts making us whole. Read what Paul the Apostle says about this in Romans 8, “14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” “Abba, Father” is accurately translated as “Daddy.” God wants to be “Dad” to us and love us as His own children.
In the 1st century Roman world, a natural child could be discarded by their parents. An adopted child however became a lifelong commitment from their parents. They willfully adopted the child and were bound to be parents and caregivers to the child. The adopted child had a secure place in the family. Likewise, you have an eternal standing once adopted by God. You are his kid.
Cry out to God today. He can help, heal, fill, and make you whole in intimate, deep ways. Many of us know God but have not allowed him to be “Dad”. We have stiff-armed Him and not enjoyed His healing fellowship. Do you need to be made whole? I have some great news. He is standing at the door of your heart right now waiting to be invited in. Being a loving Father, He will not force His way into your heart. Revelation 3:20 says it this way, “Here I am! I stand at the door (of your heart) and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Barnabas Man 