A Week for Adoptions

This is a week for adoptions. Today I have multiple friends throughout Africa grabbing hold of their sons. They are facebooking and blogging and rejoicing and crying. Their joy is arresting, disarming. There are no caveats or disclaimers. There is no talk of future challenges. Today is a day for undisciplined delight. I want to crawl into it and feel every feeling they feel.

I envy this experience – of knowing exactly what the Father feels on the day he adopts us into his family. There is no hesitation. No crossed arms waiting for us to meet his expectations. No marching orders. Like my friends who are overwhelming their sons with toys and t-shirts and stuffed bears, he gregariously pours out gifts – the Holy Spirit, his presence, his word, his unabashed affection.

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” [Romans 8:14-16]

“God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,Father.” [Galatians 4:4-6]

“God 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]

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