Abba's Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging

Many Christians have bought into the lie that they are worthy of God's love only when their lives are going well. If their families are happy or their jobs are meaningful, life is a success. Yet when life begins to fall apart and embarrassing sins threaten to reveal a less-than-perfect identity, they scramble to keep up a good front to present to the world, and to God. They cower and hide until they can rearrange the mask of perfection and look good again. Sadly, it is then that they wonder why they lack intimate relationships and a passionate faith. All this time, though, God is calling them to take our masks off and come openly to Him. God longs for them to know in the depths of their beings that He loves them and accepts them as they are. When they are their true selves, they can finally claim their identity as God's children and experience His pure pleasure in who they are. Brennan Manning encourages Christians to let go of the impostor lifestyle and freely accept their belovedness as a child of the heavenly Father. In Him there is life, their passion is rekindled, and the union with Him is His greatest pleasure.… (more)