The Spirit of Adoption

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When I was a child, my older brother and sister created the tall tale that I was adopted.  Their story claimed that my parents found me in the woods, where I had been raised by monkeys.  As I’m sure this was a common practice of torturing the younger sibling, for a split second I actually questioned my past and origination.  Did I truly believe that a hairy, banana loving animal gave birth to me?  No. But did it nudge me to uncover the truth of my legitimacy?  Yes.

One of the crucial parts of society is knowing where we came from and to whom we belong.  You can’t walk through the grocery store without encountering someone who feels lost and abandoned.  I believe this missing piece leaves the picture incomplete.  A person cannot embrace a destiny when they’ve never discovered their true identity.  Even as Christians, it’s easy to shove emotions under the rug or to overlook our insecurities.  But the “things” that we consider so small and unimportant are the foundation on which our faith is built.  We may love the Lord with all of our hearts, but past rejection can steal our joy.  Pain can keep us in a pit.  When untreated, old scars can wreak havoc on our spiritual walk.  A lot of who we are in Christ is dependent on knowing who Christ is within us.

“….But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.  God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children.  And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”  Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.  And since you are His child, God has made you His heir.”                                                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                Galatians 4:4-7 (NKJV)

What a powerful verse.  You may have had a rough start in life or a solid foundation since day one; either way, the Bible promises us that we have been adopted.  Through the blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can call upon our Heavenly Father to open our eyes to who He truly is.  Our belonging is not tied to this world.  But, our roots are grounded in Heavenly places.  Our family tree consists of royalty.  The Creator of the universe tells us to call him dad.  That concept alone should not only comfort us but fill the need to belong in us all.  Because before the foundations of the world, He made a way.  He is the way.  And the only way to truly thrive and fulfill our destinies is by first knowing our Father.Find Your Belonging at the Cross

I truly believe that God is bigger than we make Him.  His ways are higher than ours; if we would only trust the ride.  He has grafted us into His family and made us heirs of His Kingdom.  The true spirit of adoption was demonstrated on a wooden cross.  One life given in exchange for freedom.  God’s only Son sacrificed so that we might have everlasting life.  That no matter what we face in this life, we know who we are and where we are going.  Our hearts are hopeful, knowing that we are the children of God.