If you don’t know Jesus, you might misunderstand that statement. You see, I was raised by two loving biological parents, but when I was eleven years old, I completed my instruction, accepted Jesus as my Savior, was baptized, and became a child of God. Quite certainly, I did not grasp all the implications that accompanied my conversion until much later. And I’m still learning. An ever-growing earthly family has broadened my spiritual growth.
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:5
Between the two of us, Ken and I have a mixture of grandkids, the oldest being a step-grandchild to both of us. Of the next eight, five are biologically traced to Ken, and I lay claim to three. Number ten was adopted into our family and, as such, is not biologically connected to any of us. But each child is and always has been treasured by both of us, because regardless of where they began, they are all our grandkids and we love each one dearly. As a matter of fact, we’re always referring to traits that they display as descending from one parent or the other, or sometimes to either of us. Often, the person referenced is not biologically connected to that child, but they’ve been a part of our family for so long that it’s just natural to assume they have inherited some of our traits. And, realistically, they have absorbed some of their characteristics just by being a part of our environmental sphere.
Abba, Father; Thank you for accepting me as I am but not leaving me the same. Max Lucado, Pocket Prayers
I remember when each child was born or when they became a part of us, and I remember adoption day especially well. Our little bundle of girl joy was a gift from a mom who wasn’t able to care for her. We knew her before she was born; it was our daughter and son-in-law who stood by on the day she took her first breath and have cared for her every day since. We had a preliminary court date that gave temporary custody to our kids. I waited outside the courtroom and held that tiny bundle so all of the other important players could appear before the judge. As I looked into her pretty blue eyes that day, I knew that she would provide many adventures for her new family. We had to wait six months for the final decree. This time, we were all in the courtroom, and she bounced on her dad’s knee during most of the proceedings, laughing and entertaining all who awaited the important words from the judge, who was also laughing with her. She seemed to know it was a special day, and it was a joyous affair when she became an official part of our family.
When an infant is adopted into a family, the child has no choice in the decision. The adults in the equation do all the decision-making.
The process for entry into the family of God is, in many ways, a much simpler one. No documents need to be signed, and the only judge is God himself. And here’s the best part….He’s already chosen you and me! Even though he wants every one of us to know His wonderful love, He lets us decide whether we will or won’t accept His gracious offer of forgiveness and mercy, His offer to spend eternity as a treasured member of His family.
And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. II Corinthians 6:18
As I’ve aged, the implications of my acceptance into God’s family have become much more profound. I realize that along the way, I’ve disappointed my heavenly Father but, just as my daddy lifted me in his arms after a fall to check out my “boo boo” and kiss it well again, my heavenly Father takes me into His loving arms, welcomes me with a big hug and assures me that, with His guidance, I can do better next time. Sadly, sometimes, even with the best of intentions, our earthly fathers let us down. But God will never let us down, never turn His back. He just asks us to love Him with all our hearts and try to act according to His will for us. He wants us in His family. He chooses us, you and me, to be His adopted children.
God assessed your life from first day to last, from worst moment to best, and made his decision. “I want this child in my kingdom.” You cannot convince him otherwise. Max Lucado, God’s Story, Your Story.
