As some of you know, adoption is something near and dear to my heart. No, I am not adopted in an earthly or legal sense, but I am adopted in a spiritual sense. This has become more and more real to me over the last few years, and has changed the direction of my life. I firmly believe that I am adopted into the family of God, by grace alone. This has been true for more than a few years, but has become more evident in my life as I seek God and His direction in my life more. Not only am I adopted, but I am also called to adoption. This may mean physical, legal adoption, or it may mean something else entirely. I don't know how God will use me, but as I put one foot in front of the other, walking in faith, I can't wait to see how He will carry this out in my life. More on that later...
First, why adoption? The "easy" answer to this question is because God adopted me. I have known this, and have read scriptures about being adopted into God's family many times. I have been moving in the direction that He is leading because of this knowledge. I love it though, when God confirms that you're moving in the right direction when you least expect it. This happened a few weeks ago, when I was doing my Bible study. I was not studying adoption on purpose, and was in fact doing a study that I'm going through with some other ladies on the book of Revelation when Romans 11 was assigned to read. It is a passage that I have ready many times, God's word truly is living and active, and this particular passage hit me hard this time. I had to stop, mid passage, and thank God for adoption. I have been chewing on this for a few weeks now. God is so good.
"So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root[ of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree." (Romans 11:11-24)
There is much to be gleaned from this passage, and it would take much longer than a few minutes to really dig in deeply into what it means, but the part that struck me anew a few weeks ago is the assurance that I am grafted in to God's family. I am part of His family tree. He has adopted me, given me what I need. He has given me life. I'm not an outsider who knows that His family tree exists, I am a part of the tree! Seriously, how cool is that?!?!?!
What does it mean to be adopted into God's family? It means, first and foremost, that He calls me His child. I have rights to an inheritance far greater than anything that I deserve. I get to lean upon Him. I get to spend an eternity with my heavenly Father. I also have a spiritual family that I am incredibly thankful for. As I was sitting in church today, there were some somber moments. Some dear friends were worshipping with our church body for possibly the last time today as God is leading them and their family in a different direction. As I was reflecting on this, I was reminded that they, and other people are part of my spiritual family. I have been adopted into God's family, and His people have been an awesome support for me over the years.
My own earthly family is great. I am blessed to have grown up with people who love Jesus. With that being said though, there have also been times when I have had to lean on my spiritual family. There are times when God uses my earthly family in my life and times that He puts other people into my life to speak truth into my life, to cry with me, to laugh with me, to encourage me, etc. I am so thankful to have such great family support, both of my biological family and my brothers and sisters
in Christ.
I am also fortunate enough to have some dear people in my life, who love Jesus, and have adopted children into their homes. Some are still in the process and some have adopted several children. I have loved prayerfully walking alongside of them on their adoption journeys. God has used each of them in incredible ways in these kids' lives and, whether they know it or not, in mine. It is such an inspiration to see lives being changed because of God's love, and these peoples' love for children.
All that being said, where does that leave me? How can I take this adoption that I have received and in turn, show the world what it means to be adopted? That, my friends, is what I have been trying to figure out for the last couple of years, and the last six months in particular. I am currently going to school to work in the adoption arena in some capacity. I don't know what that will look like yet. I am, however, trusting God and taking steps forward as He leads. Will I one day be in a place to physically, legally adopt a child? I don't know. Can I support adoption now? Absolutely.
If I am adopted as God's child, wouldn't it seem like a natural thing to turn around and share that adoption with others? I don't think Christians often enough realize what God has called us all to. Many times, scripture tells us to help the orphans and widows. How are we doing that? I don't think that God calls everyone to physically adopt, but I do believe that He commands all believers to help orphans and widows. As I've pondered what that means during this National Adoption Month, I am broken. I have not done enough. I have often taken my own adoption for granted and not shared the good news of the Gospel with others.
I am in no place financially or circumstantially to physically, legally, adopt any children right now. I can, however do a few other things:
*Pray for children who need a family
*Pray those working with these children
*Support friends who are seeking to adopt financially
*Support friends who are seeking to adopt in prayer.
*Support adoption agencies.
*Share the gospel and the story of being adopted into God's family
*Love, support, pray with, cry with, other members of God's family who have been adopted.
*Thank God
These are just a few ways to get involved in the cause. There are many more. Pray about it. Seek how God would have you support adoption causes, not just during November, but throughout the year as well. Sorry this was so long and rambly (yes, I know that I made that word up), but I hope someone is encouraged by this.
