Nuzzling in God’s Neck – A Sunday Snippet
Maybe you had one of those conversations with your mom, dad, or stepparent.
Maybe your brother or sister is furious that you like your stepmother.
Maybe, even though everything went well, you’re exhausted from keeping parents and steps and assorted others happy at a family event.
Maybe you’re scared because arguments at home sound so similar to the pre-divorce skirmishes you heard as a child. Maybe life is just hard.
During these times wouldn’t it be great if you could crawl onto God’s lap, let Him wrap His arms around you, and tuck your head into his neck like a little child? But can we do that? Should we do that?
First, can we do that? Many people see God as ominous, fearful, and untouchable, but as Christians the Bible says, “You received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”1 Abba Father can be translated “Daddy.” This is God’s perspective of our relationship with Him, but perhaps a picture can help.
One of my favorites is this picture of President Kennedy with his son, John, playing under the presidential desk.
John Jr. isn’t thinking about being with the leader of the free world. He is with his dad. Likewise, God wants us to curl up with Him, Abba Father, in spite of the fact he is the ruler of all creation.
Second, should we do that? Countless scriptures declare, “Yes!!!
Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.2
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.3
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber.4
The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.5
Third, how do we do that? Preferences vary. Some literally crawl onto the couch or recliner and pretend they’re in God’s arms. Others pray. For some people, walking with God helps bring God’s reality in troubling situations.
How we embrace our Abba Father relationship doesn’t’ matter. God isn’t picky. He’s just waiting with open arms for us to come to him.