So, I didn’t finish The Power of a Praying Parent, but early in the adoption process, I did make it through Russell Moore’s Adopted for Life. Let me just say that this should be on every believer’s reading list, whether adoption is something you’re considering or not. The Lord has used this book in the lives of thousands (including mine and Billy's) to draw attention to some major truths of His Word, one of which I’ll share some thoughts on today-
If you are a follower of Christ, you are adopted by God the Father and are now a co-heir with Jesus, himself. You are a child of God.
Unfortunately in our culture today, “all God’s children” is a phrase thrown around casually, and usually when used, refers to all those whom God created, which is of course, all of humanity. However, scripturally speaking, all of creation is not a child of God. Being called a child of God is the gift of being a follower of Christ (Galations 3:26, Romans 8:14-17, 1 John 5:12) and something that should never be taken lightly. The highest price- the life of beloved Jesus- was paid for us to be called children of God.
Billy and I have the great responsibility and privilege of teaching tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders in Sunday School, and we have a group of boys in class originally from Burundi, a small country in Africa. These guys are an absolute joy to be around, and they really love the Lord. A few weeks ago our lesson was about God’s discipline of us, and we were discussing how His discipline shows that we are His children and how much He loves us. (Hebrews 12:7) Billy used the example of how he would deal differently with Payton if she was acting up (which, of course, never happens...) and some other random child. One of our boys from Burundi said something to the effect of, “What, you don’t love other children?” Now, first of all, it is important to know that they informed us that culturally they are used to it being acceptable, and expected, for any adult to discipline (even by spanking) any child, whether it be his own or not. We, of course responded that yes, we absolutely love all children, but that God gives parents a heartbeat for their own children that is different. There is a kinship and intimacy between parents and their children that is indescribable and unlike any other relationship. It was so important to me that the boys get this because I felt that they really needed to understand the amazing truth of 1 John 3:1- “What great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” It is unfathomable that I, a lowly sinful person, am called a child of God! I am not some random kid at the playground, I am not one of His "Sunday School" kids, I am not even a nephew or niece- I am HIS kid. I know I will walk in an orphanage in the coming months and my heart will overflow with love and ache for every child I see there- but there is one in particular that will be mine. God loves all people, but praise Him, that we, as believers, are not only loved, but are His children! Our journey through the adoption process has shown me the beauty of my own adoption in a way I had never seen before.
When our baby comes home with us, he or she will legally be a Baker for life. He will share an inheritance with his sister Payton. He will have a hope for health, education, and a longer life. He will be disciplined in love and taught the great truths of our God.
He will be from Ethiopia. Let me share with you a little about this great country that has been devastated by war, drought, and disease.:[*]
-There are over 5 million orphans and children who have lost one parent.
-More than half the population lacks access to clean drinking water.
-Over 2.3 million people in Ethiopia are living with HIV.
-One out of every 20 children born alive die in their first month of life.
-The leading causes of death for children under five are easily treatable diarrhoeal diseases.
-47% of the children in Ethiopia are moderately- severely underweight.
-82% of the population survives on less than $1 (US) a day.
-There are thousands of child prostitutes and street mothers.
-There are between 150,000-200,000 street children.
Here’s the thing, these are grim, overwhelming statistics, but they compare nothing to the situation from which the Lord has rescued us. When we were people without Christ, we were people wandering without a purpose, without an inheritance, without a hope for the future- people headed to hell. Before I was a child of God, I was "a child of the devil" (1 John 3:10). Sorry if that sounds intense and horrible- it's supposed to, but for us to truly understand the miracle of our adoption in Christ, we have to realize the pit from which He brought us. When Jesus died for us and rose again, everything changed. He made a way for us to have a true forever-family, an inheritance beyond belief, a purpose here on earth, and the promise of eternity with God the Father. What a thought. I hope that you know for certain that you are a child of God, but if you doubt, let’s talk. Let me introduce you to a new Daddy, a new family, a new hope.
I want to make sure you aren’t confused, though… Billy and I are not adopting because we want to “rescue” a child. We love Ethiopia and the colorful culture there. It is our prayer that God’s hand would be upon that country and that the statistics would change. Our adoption agency has awesome ministries that are helping change lives there daily. In the meantime, though, there are over 5 million orphans in Ethiopia that need families, and God, in His grace, has chosen us to be one of those families.
We are adopting because the Lord called us to do so.
[*] Statistics taken from unicef.org and worldvision.org
Check out this video- one of our family favorites- Third Day's "Children of God"
Check out this video- one of our family favorites- Third Day's "Children of God"
No comments:
Post a Comment