Father - First & Foremost

In my last post, I wrote about optimizing my life and choices for what makes me proud vs what makes me happy. I applied that also to my worship ministry.

There was a question about using the word "pride" and whether I should seek to have the Father be proud of me, rather than solely seeking His glory.

I think we're saying similar things but from different perspectives. There are numerous relational frameworks through which we can view God: Creator, Savior, Redeemer, Warrior, Judge, Master, King, Lord, Helper, and more. However, nothing has changed my theology more than the first principle that God is first and foremost a Father.

The Trinity existed in mutually indwelling love before anything was created. His primary title was Father; Jesus' was Son. This foundational principle remains unbroken; even as Judge or Savior, He is Father first.

When Jesus was baptized, the Father said, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased." You could interpret this as "This is my Son, in whom I have great pride and take great delight." At this moment in Jesus’s life - Jesus hadn’t ‘accomplished’ anything in ministry yet. The Father was speaking about identity and character, not the coming achievements that would bring Him glory.

Jesus also said and did only what He saw The Father say and do, not out of fear but out of relationship and shared values. As Jesus goes about doing his ministry, he says, “I value what my Father values.” The Father is proud that the values He shares with Jesus are now being displayed and revealed.

It's like a father in the stands watching his son score the winning goal—there's joy and pride as the son fulfills his potential and displays values shared by the father.

A father is proud not just of the external accomplishments of his son but the character from which those results were born. "I am proud not just of what you have done - but of who you are."

The father may enjoy and appreciate the success of other players on the field - but he is proud of his son. "I no longer call you servants..."

This kind of pride comes from a deep relationship – not simply being a servant or follower, but being a son/daughter.

The father-child connection also challenges the idea that we must disappear from the picture, leaving only the father in view. We use a lot of religious language that comes from these inferior relational frameworks: A master uses his slave. A father works WITH his son. A judge demands obedience. A father runs to the sinful son. Jesus was killed because he called God his father and thereby equated himself with God.

To this day, we are uncomfortable with calling God - Abba. Daddy. It feels so irreverent and familiar. But Jesus came to reveal the Father, reveal God as Father, and Jesus is perfect theology. When the disciples asked to be shown how to pray, Jesus said... "Our Father..."

Is he lord, master, king, judge, and defender? Yes! But he is a Father first. Are we not his disciples, followers, friends, and sheep? Yes, but we are sons and daughters first.

When the prodigal son returned from his wayward life, he wanted to be treated like a slave or hired hand. The father refused and gave his son a ring and a robe. The son had done nothing to glorify the father... yet the father honored the son. "This is my son... who was lost and is now found. Let's celebrate "

The father wants the son to be present. We don't die to ourselves just to vanish from the picture; instead, we become our true selves as mature children of God. He sees us and loves us, working WITH us not just through us.

God is most glorified by us when we are most satisfied with Him. (John Piper)

God is most glorified by us when we live out of our beloved identity as sons and daughters.

He isn't seeking mere slaves; He desires sons, daughters, and friends. So when we view life through this relational lens of father and child, we optimize for what makes Him proud as that is what makes us proud too. In doing so, we glorify Him.

Remember the sports dad in the stands? He's most glorified when his child's achievements reflect the values they share: hard work, perseverance, grit, skill, etc. The camera captures the father's reaction, bringing glory and attention to that father because his son has been victorious by embodying the values instilled by the father.

The way I do things to glorify God is by doing things that make Him proud - not of my works - but of the maturing identity within me. As I become who I truly am, what makes Him proud makes me proud. "Here I made this with You..." (can you see the loving pride in His eyes)

He is Father first. Let that truth turn your world upside down. You are loved - before you do a thing. A baby is loved before they can even offer the parent anything - even love - in return. You are loved. Already.