There Are No Orphans
By Shauna Leis
"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.' So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir."
Galatians 4:4-7
Recently some of our dearest friends went through foster parenting classes and became certified to be foster parents. They have so much love to share and already have extra children - cousins, friends from the neighborhood, and kids from church - running through their house on a regular basis. However, they truly felt that they should offer up their home to children who do not have a stable home environment of their own. Their own children love the idea and want to share God's blessings to whomever might come their way.
What God brought into their lives was a sweet little 6 week old baby we affectionately call Baby D. Baby D's biological family just could not take care of him, and the courts are left to decide if any of the extended family takes over. In the meantime, Baby D goes into foster care with some of the most loving parents you could find on this earth. Even though they have no idea how long this baby will be theirs, they love him already with all their hearts. You see, this family truly believes that there should never be any orphans.
What an awesome example of God's love for us and how He changes our lives when we accept His Son as Savior and Lord over our lives! Romans 8:15-17 says it like this, "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
We were orphans. We had no hope left at all because of our sins and transgressions. We were separated from Almighty God across a chasm that we had no chance of crossing. God saw us across the gap - in all of our filth and dirt, with all of our inadequacies and issues, everything that makes us who we are, and said, "Yes, that one right there. Do you see her? She is the one that I want." In spite of all our issues, God chose us anyway. Did you hear that? Yes, precious one, God chose Y-O-U, too! He sees past all the things that turn other people away from us and loves us unconditionally for eternity.
God also does not just bring us into foster care, a relationship that might be overturned by some court at any time or that another family member might come along and claim us. Once we are His, we are adopted completely into His family. There is no reversing that relationship! He will never let us go. Also, we are not just sons and daughters according to the Scripture in Romans; we are now heirs to His throne. He longs to give us a part of His kingdom in heaven. Will you accept His gift today?
Pray with me: Lord, we are not worthy of being called sons and daughters - and especially heirs to Your throne. But, through the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ, we have been welcomed into Your family. We are so very thankful to You that there are never any orphans where You are concerned. You are the ultimate Father and provide the ultimate example of what family should look like. May we model that example here on earth. We pray all of this in the precious name of Your son, Jesus Christ!