“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” Ephesians 1:3-10
Reflect
A problem. A hinderance. A nuisance. A mistake. Unplanned. These are a few of the words some parents have led their children to believe of themselves. I have a wonderful mother who never once made me feel this way. But I have a dad who did. He had better ways to spend his time and money than on his daughter. There were more important things to be taken care of by him. Maybe you have a similar experience.
If you feel unwanted by a parent today, I want to remind you of your purposeful adoption into the family of God. Before creation, the Trinity entered into a covenant to save a chosen people from sin. The plan was set that the Son would die on the cross to pay for the sins of His people. In love, God adopted His people to be His children forever. In love, He gave each the gift of faith to believe in the Son, to be cloaked in righteousness, and forgiven of every sin.
Friend, if you have believed in faith in the Son of God for salvation from sin and death, you are an adopted child of God. He chose you, He redeemed you, He set His love on you. You are His forever. He has sealed you with the Holy Spirit for eternal life with Him. You belong to Him as His adopted daughter. He will not abandon you.
When the memories of how your parents hurt, neglected, or ignored you begin to poke at your heart, take courage in your adoption in Christ.
Pray
Dear God, today I feel abandoned by the person who is supposed to love me the most. My parent doesn’t love me. I have been tossed aside like a piece of old furniture. Help me to remember my adoption in You. Help me to find joy in knowing You are a Father to the fatherless. You are the perfect Father who never neglects or forgets His children. You chose me before the foundations of the world were laid. You set Your love on me, a sinner You knew would rebel against You. Thank You, thank You, thank You.
Your Turn
The next time you are in Scripture, look for the attributes of God. Let them encourage you in how God is a greater parent than you could ever ask for.
