… and I am thinking about motivation this morning.  Unfortunately, my thoughts were inspired from the negative perspective of being motivated by shame.  I had the not-so-wonderful experience of feeling ashamed that I missed last week’s prayer meeting… when, ironically, the subject of our Sunday message was “The Lord’s Prayer.”  But being human comes with the warning:  Pobody’s Nerfect!

So, what do I take away from the experience that might be an inspiration?  In a word, encouragement.  The encouragement I got from Sunday’s message (I warned the church that the message was more for me than for them) was Jesus’ teaching, “This, then, is how you should pray:  Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…”

When I think about addressing God as “Our Father” I think both of the intimate availability and the profound authority that comes with fatherhood.  I remember back before cell phones were available, I would say to the receptionist that if one of the girls called the church I was to be interrupted immediately (all other calls could wait until I was available).  Right or wrong, I saw my role as father as being a top priority.  I understood that priority for three daughters… God is good for all of humanity!

The authority that God has, being our Father in heaven, I have no comparison to share.  What is refreshing is that there is no authority greater than His.  So, not only do we have an intimate and immediate access to God, we have the profound confidence that we are communicating with the Almighty.  Nothing is impossible with God… and He hears our prayers!  Even from imperfect humans like me!

For His glory,

Pastor Mike