One of the saddest things I’ve witnessed as a pastor is how many believers in Christ don’t truly know who God is. They serve Him out of fear, follow rituals out of obligation, and view Him through the distorted lens of religion. They might know about Him, but they don’t know Him. And that breaks my heart.
I’ve met countless believers who love Jesus deeply and who worship Him as Savior, Redeemer, and King (as they should!). But when it comes to God the Father, there’s hesitation. Some see Him as distant, unpredictable, or even harsh. Others picture Him as an angry judge, ready to punish at the slightest mistake. And many simply don’t think about Him much at all.
Yet, Jesus came to show us the Father. He lived, loved, healed, and forgave so that we could know what the Father is really like. When Philip asked Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father,” Jesus responded, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). In other words, if you want to know God’s heart, look at Jesus.
The world has done a terrible job of portraying God. Some blame Him for all the suffering in the world, asking, “If God is real, why does He allow so much pain?” Others see Him as cold and detached, uninterested in their struggles. These misconceptions keep people from running to Him, and that’s exactly what the enemy wants.
What’s even more heartbreaking is when believers, God’s own children, echo these same thoughts. When they see Him as a taskmaster rather than a loving Father, they miss out on the intimacy, joy, and peace that come from truly knowing Him. They serve Him, but they don’t rest in Him. They pray, but they don’t trust Him.
I know this struggle personally. For years, my relationship with God was shaped by duty and religion. I did all the right things; I prayed, read my Bible, and served in ministry, but my heart remained restless. I believed in His power, but I didn’t know His heart.
That changed when I started seeking Him as my Father. I let go of my preconceived ideas and simply asked, “Who are You, really?” Through Scripture, prayer, and quiet moments in His presence, I discovered a Father, a Papa, who knows me intimately, loves me unconditionally and longs for a close relationship with me
The more I got to know Him, the more my fears melted away. His patience overwhelmed me. His kindness humbled me. His love, so pure, relentless, and personal, changed me from the inside out. And I realized how much I had been missing.
So, let me ask you: Do you really know God? Not just as a concept, a doctrine, or a distant Creator, but as your father? Because He’s not far away. He’s not hiding. He’s closer than you can imagine.
If your view of God has been shaped by fear, disappointment, or misunderstanding, I invite you to let Him rewrite your story. Open your heart. Set aside any preconceived notions. And allow His Word and His Spirit to show you who He truly is.
Because knowing God as your Father isn’t just about gaining knowledge, it’s about stepping into a love that will change everything.
RJ (Rox) Nolin