I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
Good Good Father – Chris Tomlin
But I know we’re all searching for answers only you can provide
Because you know just what we need before we say a word
God is our Good Good Father, and we are loved by Him. This is the core of the Christian life, and it is not complex to understand but hard to accept. Chris Tomlin’s song “Good Good Father” simplifies the religious trappings and theological dissertations on the issue, reminding us of God’s love for us and our identity as His children.
We’re all searching for answers these days. We ask, as scripture states, “Who is man that God is mindful of him?” We spend hours, days, years studying trying to find the answers. But the answer has been provided, and it is not complex to understand, but it is hard to accept.
“Good Good Father” by Chris Tomlin tackles this head-on and simplifies the religious trappings and theological dissertations on the issue. Scripture identifies God in many ways: Almighty God, Great I Am, Omnipotent, Victorious King. These are all accurate descriptions of God and aspects of His nature we should remember. But the most powerful imagery of God and his relationship to us lies in the story of The Prodigal Son.
In this story, God is depicted not as a warrior or creator, but as a Father. Not just any father, but one who loves his wayward child. When the Child returns, the Father doesn’t wait for them to reach him and grovel. He rushes to meet the child and embraces them, welcoming them home. He doesn’t tell them to “go clean up, sign this document, work for 4 weeks in the fields, and then you’re restored to the family.” Instead, he looks at His son and says, “Welcome home, let’s eat, drink and be merry for you have returned.”
Who is God? Above all, he’s our “good good Father”.
Likewise, we have all kinds of ideas about who we are. “Glory to God, I’m a Sinner Saved by Grace” or “I’m a new Christian, I’m trying to find my place”. Your identity is secure and simple: you are “loved by God”. It’s not deep or hyper-religious; it’s simple. God is our Good Father, and we are “Loved By Him”. There’s no “I was a ______, but now I’m _____”. There’s only “I am LOVED”.
It’s these two fundamental truths that form the core of the Christian life. When we consider all of God’s identities – First and Last, Creator of All, Mighty Warrior, and most importantly, Good Good Father – the beauty of it all comes into focus.