Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation – but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry,“Abba, Father.” Romans 8:12-15 (NIV)
Do I live my life led by the Spirit of God? Good question that I can only answer with the help of God’s Spirit which sees into every corner of my being. There can be no “Do Not Enter” signs. If I am to live as Paul says by God’s Spirit and have the privilege of knowing God, Creator of all, in such a way that I can call Him “Father,” then everything in me is open to Him.
So being a child, in my case a daughter, of Abba Father is a sweet, easy life, right? Some days it seems hard to believe how good it is. Last night, I was so tired. As I settled into my pillows and covers such a sense of peace and comfort came over me. I felt safe and secure. Abba and I talked quietly for a while and then sleep came. Two hours later, I was awake and experiencing pain and some restlessness. There was a time when I would have been frustrated and angry. But I’ve learned to just get up and sit in a chair and read a psalm or listen to a song or two. And then my mind clears and I pray. I was up about an hour. Father had something to say to me. I had some people who came to mind in prayer and ended with thanks to Father who keeps watch.
And there are times when Abba Father asks difficult things of me. He is teaching me, helping me to build spiritual muscles and even when I know that, it doesn’t make times of sacrifice easy. Father also teaches me how to make decisions based on Kingdom principles, not the world’s instant gratification principles.
Learning about the Father, listening to the Father, and answering His call to serve is a great life. It is an adventure every day! Sometimes it’s like a wonderful river ride at Disney World! And other times it can be a full-pack hike in Glacier National Park! But if I keep my hand in the Father’s I will continue to see Father God more clearly every day – and that is a great part of this life!
Abba Father from Vineyard Music
