Join the Family

 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.”

– Romans 8:15

When you were growing up, were you one of the popular kids in school? Or were you, like many people, a bit awkward and introverted? And at recess, were you one of the first ones picked for the team — or were you the odd man out just about every time?

Some things don’t change, whether it’s on the playground or in the office park. For example, how many times have you been turned down for that big promotion or lost out to another job candidate? And has the boss ever criticized your sales presentation in front of your coworkers? Rejection can be brutal.

If this strikes close to home, there’s some very good news — even for those of

us who were never asked to the senior prom or chosen for the varsity debate team. And it’s much more important and lasting.

God, the most powerful and loving Presence in the universe, not only knows everything about you, he knew you before you were even born. Your name is written on his hand. And he’s also chosen you as his heir. So once you accept his Son — Jesus — as your Lord and Savior, you become his adopted child. And as God’s child and heir, you'll share in quite an inheritance to enjoy for eternity.

That’s a lot to anticipate once God calls you to join him. But you don’t have to wait until then to enjoy some of the family benefits. One of them is the privilege of knowing God in a personal relationship. Through prayer, you can come to him directly with your joys, needs and sorrows. It’s this close, ongoing bond that helps you overcome the rough spots that you're guaranteed to face throughout life.

Jesus taught his disciples that God isn’t a strict, unknowable taskmaster who waits to zap us when we do wrong. Christ instead revealed that our Creator is a warm, reassuring and loving Father in the best sense of the word. And to the amazement of those who heard him, Jesus even referred to God as Abba — a child’s word that translates into English as Daddy. 

The incredible truth is that God has chosen you and me as his adopted children. And just as with Jesus, he wants nothing more than to hear you respond, “Yes, Abba!”