Read these words by Thomas Merton today: :
"We make ourselves what we are
by the way we address God."
I've been thinking about this concept, off and on, all day. I've been thinking about the fact that how I address God demonstrates my thinking about Him. My thinking about God affects my actions, and my actions build the person I'm becoming.
So, how do you address God?
9 comments:
The saying "you are what you eat" was what came to mind when I read this. "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." -Psalm 34:8
Until we find out how He would like us to live and how good it is to live in his ways, we can never know how good God is until we try Him for ourselves. Thought provoking...God bless sister.
Good topic Tracy. I would invite a certain blogger who has been posting on your site recently to examine with an open mind the God of the Bible and Jesus whom he apparently dislikes.
I often address Him as Heavenly Father or Father in my prayers, but I have on ocassion cried out to my Abba Father.
Years ago, an elderly man for whom I had great respect would begin his congregational prayers with 'Our most, kind, gracious and loving Heavenly Father...' The humility, sincerity and love in his voice still echo with me today.
Rcube, yes indeed, as we experience God's goodness we want more. It's so hard to explain that to someone who doesn't know Him.
Which is the whole thing with that "certain blogger" JD. He and I have talked at length about God; he has lots of legitimate questions. The bottom line is I won't be able to prove to Him the reality of God or convince Him of who God is; that's the Holy Spirit's job. I can share about my experience with God. He's smart, I like him and think he's a good person, I respect him even though we disagree deeply. I can be honest and real and pray for him, the rest is in God's hands. I don't want to sound condescending in what I'm saying here about him either; it's not like that.
Tony, I can almost hear the man as you describe him. There's something about some people, when they speak certain words, the depth of sincerity from their heart can be heard - it draws us and inspires us.
I enjoy the questions you pose; they make me analyze and think about things.
How do I address God? I believe when my walk is on the narrow path... as I tend to veer off frequently due to excuse after excuse...more than praying... I find myself not ceasing to pray but to always be in a state of meditation on the things of God and who He is. My husband and I have discussed this as a form of prayer that we find ourselves in often. It's part of our relationship with God and getting to know Him.
So, in seeing who God is by the way we address Him, this may be viewing His omniscience and sovereignty.
(BTW- I jetted on the other posts as it swerved off the path and with two little ones... I sometimes don't have much time! :)
First, thank you for stopping by my blog today and actually leave a comment ;)
This question is great. When I was a little girl learning to love God...I called him Father. As I grew and learned how to love him, how to hear him and how to walk with him...I called him Friend. In this season of my life. As I walk as a grown woman, mother, wife...I find a deepness in our intimacy together that I did not know until I sat with Him in silence...now I call him Lover.
Wow I guess I never really thought that out before. He is my beloved and I am grateful to be His.
Blessings,
J.
I deliberately address God as "Heavenly Father" in my prayers. I don't address Him as Lord because I feel it would be hypocritical for me to do so.
I love what RCUBES states
Until we find out how He would like us to live and how good it is to live in his ways, we can never know how good God is until we try Him for ourselves
I find that I address God in many ways....this is something I am now going to have to dig deeper into.
I basically posted this because when I read those words of Merton's they captured my attention and heart and I was curious how other people thought about them.
I'm like you Michelle in that I address God in various ways. But, upon reflection, I've seen that I most frequently simply call Him Father. I was not even remotely close to my own dad, so the whole daddy God, Abba Father, thing isn't one I relate to well. One of my favorite preachers, always refers to his dad as daddy and that's always fascinated me - I like the family love and closeness I see there.
Ross - You've got me curious, why do you think it would be hypocritical for you to address God a "Lord"?
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