Identifying With The Father
by Richard Fila
Recently I was searching through some storage boxes at my family home looking for a certificate of education. Instead however, I came across a different box - one which contained precious old belongings of my long since departed grandfather.
I hadn’t seen the things in this box before but took a moment to look at some of my granddad’s flight log books from World War 2. Seeing his handwriting reminded me of the person he was and of the family lineage to which I belong. As I looked over the items I came to realise that the penmanship I was looking at, albeit just a log book, came from my grandfather. It is an expression of his person and each word written was done so at a specific point in his life and by his own will to write those things down. Although he’s no longer alive on this earth, what he’s left behind does not, nor will it ever, cease to be what it is. His.
In that moment I was struck with the realisation that I, like every single one of us, am like that handwriting. I’ve been created by Father God. I’m an expression of His person and I was brought into existence by a decision of His will. No one can change the fact that God has done that for me and for each one of us. We are, always have been, and always will be, His.
Unlike that original certificate of education I was looking for, which is bound to this temporal earth life, the reality of the source from which we’ve all come is eternal. My prayer for myself in that situation and for all of you reading this now is that we will all move deeper into our identity within the Father - this immovable source of hope, validation and sonship for all mankind.
“Master” said Philip, “cause us to see the Father: that is all we need” (John 14:8).
Prayer: Father God, thank You that I’m Yours. Thank You that Your act of creating me was deeply personal, and that You have and always will pursue that depth of intimacy with me, despite all the noise and distraction of this estranged world. Forgive me, Lord, for any false things I have hoped in for my identity, and help me to return ever closer to You, my source and my life. Thank You for creating me. May I be a blessing to You today, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Richard Fila first came to know Ellel Ministries at Ellel Grange in 2006 and went on to attend the NETS programme at Ellel Pierrepont. He works in IT & Finance and continues to be involved with the ministry in the areas of technology and worship.
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