Adpoted by the Father!

Webster defines an orphan as being deprived of a mother, father or both. Webster defines the word adopt as to take and treat a child as your own, giving rights or title; to embrace.  1. Imagine being born and realizing you are in the “wrong” family. 2. Consider the life of a runaway, searching for love and acceptance as well as their next meal and a warm place to sleep.   3. Think about how it might feel to wake up one day abandoned by your parents, protectors, or loved ones.

These are literal descriptions; however, their spiritual and natural counterparts are the focus of this article. Let’s begin with the latter first.

Abandoned:    So many times we feel abandoned by the ones we love the most. Relationships deteriorate and the scars from broken hearts or the wounds from bruised emotions run deep.

Run Away:     Quite frequently we may find ourselves on the “run” from life as hardships or difficulties pursue us. We can feel chased by sadness and depression and run seeking shelter from the cold nights of our seemingly unchangeable circumstances.

Born into the wrong family:  In Psalms 51:5 David admits what many refuse to believe.  He says, “Behold I was brought forth in iniquity and in sin my mother conceived me.” Not that our natural families are wicked but we are born into a wicked earthly realm or family, “the World.”  I John 2:16 says, “For all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life- is not of the Father but is of the world.”

After reviewing these spiritual definitions I believe there is a need for everyone to be “spiritually adopted.” I believe runaway children, abandoned children, and children born into the wrong spiritual family (which essentially is all of us) can be adopted when they repent and obey God. John 1:12-13 says, “But as many as receive Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Don’t worry; this adoption process is quick and painless. The price has already been paid and the contract was already signed in “blood.” You don’t have to feel abandoned; you can stop running; and you can rejoice in the fact that your Heavenly Father will always be there to take care of you just as a father should.  Think about it.