Everyone works for someone, reports to someone, is controlled by someone or is responsible to someone.  It starts at birth.  Our parents or guardians have complete authority over what happens to us 24/7; our free will consists of peeing, pooping and crying.

As we grow, more authority figures are added:  teachers, bus drivers, policemen, etc..  Then the workplace brings forth supervisors, task leaders, bosses, their bosses, division bosses, corporate bosses and the CEO.  Even in small businesses and partnerships someone has to assume the management role.

I used to write that God was at the top of the food chain.  Even a hermit in a secluded location in the dense forest, who planted his own garden and burned candles, would still have to answer to God in the final analysis.  I credit my upbringing and somewhat skewed Bible teaching as forming my view of “God’s justice,” he being the BIG BOSS.

The Old Testament paints a picture of a people who trembled at the thought that God might be near.  They begged their current prophet to speak on their behalf, for fear that the Almighty would smite them dead.  In the New Testament, however, Jesus shows us a very different God, one who is loving and caring, yet was not pleased with those that troubled or hurt their family and neighbors around them.

The church continued to develop this theme, but was determined to add burdens and rules to the backs of new believers, requiring obedience to doctrine and church leaders rather than obedience to God’s Holy Spirit.  Why be dragged back into Old Testament austerity?  It’s as if Christ came to say, “You’ve got it all wrong!  You don’t even know my Father!  Let me show you a better way.”

Everything that Christ said and did was to demonstrate God’s will, because Christ was the perfect, obedient Son.  If Christ said it, it’s because God told him to say it.  If Christ healed, God is the Healer.  When Christ died on the cross, God was saying, “I give you my all — everything — to bring you into my inner circle as perfect sons and daughters.  I spare nothing.”

God is not my boss.

HE IS MY FATHER.  He always has and always will care for me.  He will give me the necessary discipline to keep me firmly focused on the path of truth and love.  He will continuously protect me, even when it surely seems as if he has forgotten me.

HE IS MY MAKER.  I am genetically bound to him.  With my free will I can become incredibly ugly to the point where no one could see any resemblance between me and my God.  Conversely, I can become so like him that my brothers and sisters will give him praise because they see him in me.

HE IS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF MY FAITH.  I began as an innocent baby — not as a “little sinner”, as some might claim.  I will get dirty along the way.  But I will, ever so gradually, become clean and will be reconciled to my Father, as well as to all I have offended in God’s creation, be it man or beast.

This is genuine hope and promise.