Ephesians 1:4-5 He chose us in Him before the creation of the world…. to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.
From time to time someone writes me who was adopted as a child, and is now haunted by the idea that they had been rejected by both of their birth parents, and therefore they must have been unloved and unlovable. Those feelings have oppressed them most of their lives.
What they have forgotten–and what I always try to point out to them–is that they weren’t unloved and unwanted by their adoptive parents–not at all. That couple had a choice in the matter–and they deliberately chose to bring this child into their family. If anything, their adoption proves that their feelings are lying to them. The truth is, they are loved, and they are wanted.
In an even greater way, God loves us so much that He chose to make us part of His family. Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplished many things for us–our forgiveness, our new life, even our eternal destiny. But something else took place when you accepted Christ: You were adopted into His family forever. God loves you that much!
Dearest ones,
Sometimes our life together as a family hits some very rough spots. These times can make us want to abandon our family or separate ourselves from our family. During those times we may feel as if being together just will not fit with what we want or is just too much trouble. These feelings can split families apart and damage them so badly that the family cannot recover.
These are the times that we should look to God’s example as our Heavenly Father and his instructions to his adopted children, us. God always forgives the repentant child and affirms his love to us. Yet, God still allows us to suffer through our mistakes and selfishness because he knows we must learn better. Then, once we have repented and paid our dues, God forgives and shines his love and grace on us.
Likewise, when our family suffers from the actions of one or all of us, we must continue to love each other and allow each other to pay their dues until repentance is experienced and forgiveness sought. That is when we must shower our love, grace and forgiveness on each other. When we follow God’s example in these things, we can be sure that his hand will guide our family back into communion with each other and with God.
Following God’s parental lead,
Dad
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