Sunday, January 12, 2014

As a Child of God

            A young kitten grows to become cat, a young cub to an adult bear. It would make sense that if we were truly the children of God that we would have the potential to become like God. This one truth changes one’s outlook on life, struggles, happiness, time; everything changes with this single important truth.
            And yet, so few understand their potential to become like their Father. They can be like God in every way, from attitude and manner, to emotions and power, the concept of a Father and a Child is very much evident in our spiritual sense as it is in the physical world.
            But how could we understand this truth with out first knowing our Father? And having an example to look toward is necessary to becoming similar to that example. But where is God? Where is our Example of perfection and God-like behavior?
            There are two suggestions I offer, they coincide carefully but are distinctly different.
            We first can seek to have a relationship with the example we follow before attaining and working on the attributes they possess. The first person we may follow is God himself. We can build a relationship with him through prayer and speaking with him. Your prayers can be a conversation if you give Him time to speak. You can learn from the scriptures the lessons He has taught and what His attitude, even personality is.
            You will find a loving, kind, gracious Father in those words. But also one with direction and counsel. You will find times of rebuke and critique, but always with a loving touch for the one it is given. It will be the same with your own life as you seek guidance from our Father in Heaven.
            The other example is the supreme Example of a Child of God. In a family often children will look to the parents for an example, but many will also look to the oldest child for direction on how to act.
            Christ is our elder brother and can serve a perfect example of being a Child of God. He was perfectly obedient to all the Father’s commandments; he served those around him, taught with the spirit. But notice the details of His time on earth, he was born a helpless babe, taught and raised by an earthly mother and father who taught him of God, he soon built a relationship with His Father in Heaven, learning from Him by the Spirit. He constantly prayed, offered up prayers of gratitude and pleading for those around him. He sought ways to help others, to lead them to build the same relationship He had with the Father. In His glory, He receives all the Father has.
            We are not Christ, but similar to Him, we each are sons and daughters of God. He is our Father, and as a perfect Father, desires to teach and help us, but also to direct us. And we can become like him. Our potential to do so comes from our very nature as His children. He loves you. He seeks after you. He wants to hear from you, hear your prayers and help guide and uplift you through this life. And you can be like Him.

@MishReflections

@kenttbates

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