by Elizabeth Haarberg

Our Heavenly Father Desires That We Be More Like Him.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Romans 8:15

Fear and love are in direct opposition of one another, as well as slavery and freedom. When we are in God’s Presence, fear and slavery cannot exist, no matter our external circumstances. It’s when we step outside His Presence that the world of fear and slavery sneaks in.

We have been adopted by God. We are loved, accepted, chosen, snuggled and cuddled by Him. He wants us to be close to Him and to do what he does.

“So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.”
John 5:19

We are now sons and daughters of the most High King. It’s now possible to have a relationship with Him where we only do what He does. This is the most intimate, intense form of imagery that He can create, where becoming like Christ is our goal. Because of the Holy Spirit, we do not simply admire and talk about it but put into action all that we learn and know.

It’s pretty amazing that our jealous, all-knowing, universe-creating God wants us to be more like Him. What kind of God would be willing to have that as His goal? His goal is not more fear of Him or to keep us in our place but to become more like Himself.

The walk with Him is only partially complete by learning about Him. Now we are to walk as children of God, continuing the circle by staying in His Presence to cry out to Him “Father!” We are to encounter Him through the word, baptism, prayer, communion, nature, aesthetics, and more. As we encounter Him, we can use the storehouse of those encounters to pray for whom He shows us to pray, do the work that He commands, love our neighbor with the overflow of love He’s given us and so much more.

The work He models is not hard; it’s the most fun I’ve ever had. There are tougher moments at times than I’ve ever experienced, but the result is worth the strain. I want to give everyone a taste of Jesus through an encounter with Him.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8) His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 136:1) Let that sink in.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado