Adopted

About a month ago, we had our final gathering as young life leaders in upper East Tennessee before we all dove into our summer adventures. This was a joyful but rather sad time together. It was the last time we would all be together. I say last time, because we said bye to some really special people who have served whole heartedly in YL in our area for years and have now been called else where. There were lots of tears and tissues, but it was mostly a celebration of laughter and excitement. A time to reflect on how God has chosen us all to further His Kingdom through this incredible ministry. What an honor. As I sat there listening to the words being said about each individual, I couldn't help but to think...If that were me up there, what would people say about me? What will people say about me years from now? Now, I don't want you to think I am saying how can I make myself better, so I can be noticed more. Yes, that is a selfish desire that I think most people feel at some point. But, what I am saying is, is the love of Christ so evident in my life that the outflow of it changes lives through the Grace of God?  Am I being a disciple of Jesus Christ? Am I passionate about my relationship with Him? Am I zealous and bold?  Am I confident because I belong to the Lord most high and he is satisfyer of my soul? And for that matter, do I fill myself up with Him or things of this world? These are questions I've been fighting for months. Am I who God wants me to be? The truth is I'm not. I'm far from it. Truth is I've been in a rut. Like most people, I get in these valleys and try to get it out on my own, but I fail everytime. (emphasis on I). 

That same night we were asked to write ourselves a letter. A letter that we would receive in the mail at the end of summer. We were told to write about our goals for the summer. How we wanted to grow and where we wanted to be by the end of it. We were reminded that the summer is a beautiful time to really grow in your relationship with the Lord. To rest in Him and spend an abundance of time with Him because of breaks from school or other obligations. (unless of course you are in summer school...but thank goodness, I'm not). The same question came up in my mind. Who do I want to be? How do I want to be different come fall 2013? I found myself coming back to the same desire...Lord, remind of you. Remind me of how great your love is. Capture my heart again and again. Give me a desire for you. It's funny how much God can reveal himself to you by simply just asking. 

A couple of days ago, as I was driving to Birmingham, I decided to listen to a sermon to make the time go by fast. I chose one by David Platt on Adoption. (if you have a chance, I highly recommend this sermon. It was his Easter Sunday one from a few years ago). It was a fairly easy choice, because I have a heart for orphans and adoption and jump at the chance to hear what older and wiser people have to say about it. As I was listening to it, I couldn't help but to be extremely moved. The focus of the sermon was how we are adopted into the family of God. How just like adoption on earth, there is a cost, there are requirements, and there are different sacrifices that have to be made to adopt a child. Me being adopted comes with a price. Christ died so that I could be reconciled with my father. He changed my status. He paid a price that would forever allow me to have a heavenly Daddy. Someone to fight for me to have hope, peace, freedom, and protection. He talked about all the parallels between us adopting on earth and God adopting us. 

 People driving beside me probably thought something was terribly wrong with me because I couldnt control the tears. I love the idea of adoption. Not because it's a good thing to do, but because without me being adopted, I would be lost, alone, starving, hopeless, and insignificant. But, listening to this reminded me... I am a child of God. He saw that I was alone and weak, and he ran to my rescue. He chose me. He persues me. He fights for me. He believes in me. He listens to me. He never gives up on me. He forgives me. He accepts me. He blesses me. He redeems me. He loves me. He adopted me.  He thinks I'm worth it.

My life is forever changed because I call God, Abba. My Father. I believe just like God changes us, we can change a life. We can choose to do as Christ has done to us and offer a life of hope and significance. We can ask God to give us the courage to love his children. We can fight for those who have no one to fight for them. We can fulfill Gods command to love the orphans and take care of them. You may have no desire to adopt. You may not feel that call. But, do something. Stop living a life of mediocrity. Be a voice for the voiceless. Consider how Christ changed your life by adopting you and consider the joy and blessings God can give you by being brave and following Him and running to the rescue of his many children all over the world suffering because they do not have someone to love them on a earth. Be the change you wish to see in the world. 

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me....

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see.

On this Father's Day, I'm thankful to have a dad that died for me to be a part of his family. Who persues me with his love. Who adopts me as his own. I am no longer an outcast or abandoned to my sin. Amen.




I'm also really thankful that God gave me an earthly father who is pretty incredible. Who has shown me the love of Christ constantly by encouraging me, bringing me up in the faith, forgiving my faults, believing in me, and understanding me no matter what. I am thankful I know the Lord, because my dad committed to show me the way to Him and point me to Truth. What an honor it is to be your daughter, daddy. You amaze me everyday by your strength and servant's heart.




If you have 7 minutes and 54 seconds, I encourage you to watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWHJ6-YhSYQ