Father, May I Ask You a Question?

While visiting an aquarium, I stood next to a child with his father. We were all entranced by the fish swimming past us in the huge tank. With total confidence and respect, the little boy looked up at his father and asked, “Father, may I ask you a question?” Holding the child’s hand, the father looked down and lovingly answered, “Yes, son, you may.” It was a simple interchange between a father and son. I never forgot it.

What struck me was the little boy’s sense of security and lack of demand. I don’t remember what the question was. It doesn’t matter. The relationship of love, respect, trust, and safety impressed me. I asked myself, do I approach my Heavenly Father with the same respect and assurance that He will answer me and I can trust His answer? Or am I that child who repeatedly pulls on their parent’s leg with “Daddy, daddy, I want, why can’t I? Why? Why not?” Do I demand answers? Am I only satisfied when the answer is what I want?

The word Father in Aramaic is Abba and in Greek it is Pater. Jesus used both words in the garden of Gethsemane, as reported in Mark 14:36 (NASB1995). The word Abba indicates intimacy and has often been referred to as “daddy.” But the deeper meaning of Abba is more than a close relationship. It implies the intent to obey the father. Pater comes from a root word signifying nourisher, protector, and upholder. When used together, Jesus models a powerful relationship with his father, one of intimacy and trust. He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, “Abba! Father (Pater)! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” Jesus demonstrates intimacy, respect, and the intent to obey due to the assurance that the father’s will is ultimately best. He knows the father will nourish, protect, and uphold him. Therefore, Jesus safely let his request be known and had the assurance of God’s perfect outcome through obedience.

Our father in heaven has given us the privilege of the same relationship with Him as Jesus. Romans 8:15 (NIV) declares, “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.'” In those two words, we are assured of intimacy combined with trust in our protector and nourisher as we approach God with an obedient heart.

My day at the aquarium taught me two significant lessons:

To pay attention to how I approach my father in heaven. He loves me unconditionally, but He deserves full respect and honor. I want to nurture the same respect for my God and have the same confidence in His loving reply as was modeled for me. I want to accept God’s answers because I trust that the will of my heavenly father is for my ultimate good.
We never know how our actions and words will impact the life of a total stranger. The father and son were unaware of how their little exchange challenged me. Yet years later, I still reflect on their relationship. I desire to approach my father in heaven with the same love, respect, and total trust the little boy had for his earthly father. We have the privilege of modeling to perfect strangers the love of Jesus. We never know how God will use us to encourage others.

As we rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus may we remember His sacrifice because of God’s love and the willingness of our Savior to go to the cross on our behalf. Oh, the indescribable love of God. Let us praise Him and give Him all the honor and glory due His name!

Blessings,

Personal Parable Practices

How am I approaching my father in heaven?

What areas of my life do I need to surrender to the will of God?

How can I learn to pay more attention to my behavior in order to model the love of Jesus?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I demand answers or refuse to accept your will. Thank you for loving me anyway. Thank you for your patience. Teach me to approach you with the love and respect you deserve. Make me more aware of how my life impacts others. Help me to repent when my behavior doesn’t line up with my faith. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Scripture for Meditation

Mark 14:32-38 (NIV) – They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”