I once owned a diesel VW Rabbit. It was slow, but I could drive a thousand miles on a single fill-up.

Until that one day.

It started overheating. I added water. It kept overheating. I made it home, spewing white smoke behind me. Then I made it to the mechanic. The bill was staggering. You mechanics know why.

First, I added water when I should have added coolant. Worse, I added it when it was hot. I ignored the owner’s manual and the advice of experts and it cost me a new engine head instead of just a gasket. Lesson learned.

The designer of that engine knew what I needed to do.

How many times do I ignore the instructions of the Designer of my life?

Yes, I believe that Someone designed me.

I know that many reject that idea.

Some see God as a strict judge with a bunch of rules designed to control us. I can understand since that image has been perpetuated by religious people for centuries. If that was an accurate picture of God, I would probably reject that too.

But God is a Dad!

I have four kids. I’m far from perfect but my love for each of them is deep.

I’m not a very strict dad, but what rules I enforce, I do for their good. When my kids try to do things their own way, I feel for them. I know that they’ll have to deal with the consequences. Sometimes I have to intervene with some tough love. If I were to catch them intentionally hurting others, I would probably be angry at them.

How do you think God, who created the universe, would raise his children?

Wouldn’t He give His kids rules designed to help them grow into healthy adults that fit into this world?

When His kids wander away, don’t you think God’s heart breaks?

How would you feel if your kids denied that you even existed?

Jesus referred to God the Father as “Abba”. That means “Daddy”. That’s the kind of God I believe in. He loves us enough to provide commands designed for our good. He is fiercely protective of His kids. Try to harm them and you might experience the fierce side of His love.

No one obeys His commands perfectly. When you mess up, God made a way for you to be restored.

If you reject Him, He allows it. But that breaks His Daddy heart.

How do you see God?

Do you believe He exists?

Is He a strict judge?

Is He an egomaniac?

Or, like me, do you see a loving Daddy who wants the best for His kids?

If that’s true, how do we respond to that? Let’s talk about it.