Influencers Weekly Devotional

“Many of you know that I now have an adopted grandson from Ethiopia. My daughter and her husband went through a 2 year sacrificial process to adopt him, and eventually bring him home to his family in Arkansas. When I read Bryan’s devotional I was so touched I wanted to make sure all of you would take the time to read it. It helped me see even more clearly how and why I have been adopted by God, and how He has given me a Heavenly Parent to be be with me until I go to my permanent home, much like my adopted grandson Isaiah had with his process. Read this one carefully and make a personal application. It will bless you if you will.” Rocky

Adopted

by

Bryan Craig

“We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”

Romans 8:23

This verse really spoke to me the other day. I had always thought I had already been “adopted”, but when I read this verse, it was the first time I understood that the adoption was not yet official or complete. I began to think of this in the context of an international adoption. At my church, many families have adopted children from other countries. It is a long, tedious process. The prospective parents journey to a country not their own to visit an orphanage. They have their sights set on finding a child to make their own. Many times, the choice is already made before they make the journey. However, they choose a child. They finally meet the child they have chosen, and they become acquainted. They make sure the child understands their desire to be his parents. The child feels the love of these parents who he doesn’t even really know. Then, the parents must depart and leave the child in a waiting state, until the time will come when they can return to get him. The parents and child are very sad to separate, but they both know it is necessary. In some cases, one parent will stay behind to be with the child until the adoption becomes official, but in most cases, this is not possible. Then, one glorious day, everything becomes official, and the parents are allowed to escort their adopted child home to their country. Spiritually speaking, I see this now. My adoptive parents (The Father, Son and Holy Spirit) came a long way to my orphanage (Earth) to see me and spend time with me. They chose me to be their child. They showed me their love, and they made me feel very special. However, the time was not yet ready for me to go home with them. They had to leave me here until everything could be made official. Ever since I met them, this place seems foreign to me. I now long to be with my new parents in their country (Heaven). I don’t feel like I belong here anymore. Thankfully, one of my new parents (The Holy Spirit) stayed behind to comfort me and teach me about my parents and the country in which I will one day live. He is showing me my new identity, and He even has given me some new clothes to wear, clothes like they wear back home (Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, Patience.) He will be with me, until my other parents come back to get me. One day, the time will come. The adoption transaction has actually been completed. It was finished on a wooden cross. The only paperwork was that which was nailed above my Father’s head, “This is the King of the Jews.” It laid claim to my Father’s right to me and all he would call his own. He forged the only passageway from Earth to Heaven. Through Death, he found a way back Home. Now, I no longer need to fear Death. It, too, will be my passageway to my new Home. It will be a glorious reunion and a new beginning. Until that day, I wait with the Holy Spirit. I prepare for my new home. I wear my new Clothes, and I begin to act like I am from my new home rather than an orphan in an orphanage. I talk to my new parents every day (Pray). They tell me how much they love me, and they remind me to be reading about my new home (The Bible). The other orphans are envious when they see what I have in my new parents. They want to go with me. I just found out my parents have a BIG house, and there is room for many more. They told me I could invite others to go with us. All they have to do is ask my Father, and He will come. Wow! How exciting. I won’t be an only child over there. I’ll have a big family with lots of brothers and sisters. Father, thank you for adopting me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for choosing me and rescuing me from this strange place. I’ll be waiting for you. Download file