Blessed

Bear one another's burdens... Galatians 6:2

I will be honest! One of the most exciting things we have experienced through this journey of adoption (to date) has been the support and excitement of those closest to us. We have had our parents endless support, aunts throw jewelry parties, friends at church sell baked rolls, cousins give shout outs on Facebook, sisters constantly asking for updates, and most recently a brother who sent an article via email concerning the biblical model of adoption. The article is great don't get me wrong. In fact, I myself posted a link on Facebook. I highly recommend reading it. As encouraging as the article is, the fact that our family is thinking about adoption is all the more encouraging. To know our burden for our children is not just burdening our hearts but being carried by others is a blessing. The community that has surrounded our family has been overwhelming. As you may have navigated this blog you may have come across Why Ethiopia? In that section we mentioned why we are adopting from Ethiopia. One of the reasons we mention for adoption is that we have been blessed and are called to be a blessing for others. The blessing we have experienced is the forgiveness and freedom we have found in Christ. The blessing is the identity we have as God's children. The blessing is the love we have experienced from our family and friends. We are so blessed and feel privileged to see our burden shared by others!

The Heart of Christ

I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. John 14:18

These were the words of Christ as He discussed with His disciples the death He was about to experience. I often times think of the words I might say to those closest to me if I were knocking on death's door. I love you? It's ok? The reality of death would most likely draw out my true heart. Whether it be fear, peace, hope or love.  Whatever would come out of my mouth would only be by the grace of God. I believe we find in this passage the heart of Christ. Oh yes, we find the heart of Christ elsewhere, but it is here where we find words of comfort and hope. Even as He is facing death! Those who had been spiritually orphaned, abandoned because of their sin were told by Christ, "I will not leave you as orphans, I am coming to you." WOW! The Creator of all things, the one who holds all things together (Colossians 1) is pursuing His creation?! This is the heart of Christ...to seek and save that which is lost! To bind up the broke, to set the captive free! I believe this is the heart that Christ wants us to have as His body and as His children.

Recently, I was having a conversation with my dad explaining to him how our understanding of God has grown tremendously through this adoption process (we are not yet done with the process and there is still much more to learn). This growth that has come is not because of anything "super" spiritual or really anything "new" in the sense that we have never heard it before. The growth has come in understanding the reality of God's love for His children. (1 John 3) The growth has come in understanding the completion of our adoption into the family of God. (Rom. 8) This growth has come in understanding a small fraction of what it means to no longer be orphans. (John 14:18) As we grow in this understanding our excitement has grown to share in the heart of Christ, whatever that means and however that looks! We are still waiting for the match of our two children, but trust that our Savior who did not leave us as orphans will also pursue them even now as we wait. Our agency has started networking with some new orphanages and we are optimistic that this will bring us one step closer to completing our family!

Perspective

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father’. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” –Romans 8:15-18

     As Tiffany and I have embarked on this journey of adding to our family through adoption we have grown in our understanding of adoption. Much of this growth has come through our study of Scriptures as the doctrine of adoption is so clearly taught by Paul. Paul specifically talks about adoption in Romans, Galatians, Ephesians and this truth implied on numerous occasions as the church is so often called the family of God.
Paul uses this illustration which was commonly understood by Gentiles. This better communicated the Gentiles newfound identity in Christ. According to Roman law, the person who was adopted into a particular family gained all legal rights of a “biological” son. These rights allowed the child to be an heir, gaining a new identity and inheritance. In addition, the Roman law stated that the old “life” was completely wiped clean. Paul uses this illustration to describe our new found identity in Christ. Although there are many practical applications to this truth, the theological implications are profound. Each one who has placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior has been adopted into the family of God.

     Through this adoption one can now cry out, “Abba, Father.” Not only do we gain a new
identity in Christ being called sons and daughters; we lose the baggage of our sinful past.
This is what Paul meant in writing, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” This is done through
the cleansing act of the cross. The debt of sin has been paid in full, allowing the sinner to be
justified. What a joy to know that we have been adopted by God and can approach the
Creator of this universe calling Him Father.