“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)
I was an only child. Growing up I didn’t think much of that. I didn’t feel any different from my friends, who had brothers and sisters, but my identity was undoubtedly shaped by being in a family where I was the only offspring. I had no way of knowing what it would be like to have a brother or sister other than my second-hand experience of staying often with a childhood friend who had an older and younger sister, and, honestly, from what I saw, I reckoned it was better to be an only child!
Whatever your family context, as sons and daughters of God our identity has been transformed into those who are a part of the family of God. As we grow in our relationship with God and others, He helps us to understand the dynamics of the heavenly family that we are now part of. One in which we are all equally loved and equally valued.
What a joy it is to read in Ephesians 1:5 that:
- God decided in advance to adopt us into His family
- He adopted us through Jesus.
- It gave God great pleasure
Perhaps you have never known the joy of having a loving earthly father, perhaps you were rejected or abused by your father or, like me, perhaps your father died when you were young. Whatever your circumstance God wants you to know today that it was always His plan that you would be His son or daughter and that it gives Him great delight that you are His son or daughter.
You and I are brothers and sisters, not because of anything we have done; but because of what Jesus has done for us. Together, as family, we can see the transformational power of Jesus at work in our homes, workplaces, communities and churches.
Father, today I pray that each of us will have a deep sense of knowing that we are the sons and daughters of God and that God delights in us. May we know that we are part of a family in which we are all loved equally and that You love each of us deeply. In Jesus’ name, Amen.