I discovered that as an adult, when we obey a parent, we assimilate not only their assets, but also their liabilities. Perhaps that is why the Bible calls us to “honor” our parents when we become adults, not to simply just continue to obey them.

The book of Proverbs gave me a filter to discern, or sift, the wisdom of my heavenly Father from the streets smarts of my earthly father. One proved to reveal divine wisdom, while the other demonstrated political savvy. Traveling down Restoration Road, my pursuit of the Restorer forever shifted my relationship with my dad. While I had placed him on a pedestal as a child, as an adult I learned that he was human just like me. Consequently, I could let go of satisfying my desires of significance, contentment, control, and security through his approval.

When I came to this realization, it was as if a dam inside me opened wide and released a flow of water that swept me up and took me deeper in my journey with the Restorer. Instead of seeking my dad’s approval, I learned to seek God’s wisdom, relying on the Restorer to transform our relationship. Restorative change carried wisdom into my relationship with Dad because I had fully surrendered my heart to the Restorer.

Paul wrote: “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father'” (Galatians 4:6). When we fully surrender our lives to Christ, His Spirit resides in us and calls out “Daddy” to our heavenly Father, our source of wisdom.

Call out to your heavenly Father and ask for wisdom to sift through the earthly advice of others. He will take you deeper in your journey with Him.

Episode 10: Restoring Our Four Desires (Significance & Contentment) from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.

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