Adoption
When Adopted by God, Don’t Ignore the Free Benefits
Members of God’s family have access to limitless resources
When my nephew was killed, all his family showed up to celebrate his young life and support his single mother. His adoption was a legal act that made him family. Our love for him tied him invisibly to us. The brokenness of his mother and the stooped shoulders of his brother, the sadness and bewilderment of his cousins, betrayed grief and sorrow. Grief is not lessened because we do not share our DNA.
During his memorial service, his grandfather reminded us that, like my nephew, we too are adopted. An omnipotent God chose us to be his children.
He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (Ephesians 1:5–6,NIV)
Sitting three feet from the coffin, trying to control my tears, the realization of my adoption by God swept over me. Until this memorial service, I never thought of what my divine adoption really meant.
As the hundreds of mourners praised God for the life of my nephew, the enormity of being God’s child filled me with peace. Amid the sobbing, my spirit was lifted as amens…
