I was chosen!
When Tyler started grade 9 at the same high school as his big sister, there was a comfort for me in knowing that Emily would be there to look out for her little brother. At least that is what I thought.
Emily tells us that before Tyler arrived at the school she told teachers that he was adopted from Mexico when he was 12 years old. For some time teachers — who we now understand were trying to gauge Tyler’s comfort with English — would quietly and slowly ask Tyler, “How… do… you… like…. Can-a-da?”
Eventually the matter got cleared up but I still marvel at Tyler’s response to the whole thing. Rather than getting upset, Tyler embraced it. “Ya, I was chosen, they really wanted me (referring to Brian and me). Emily was just what they got!”
Adoption is a wonderful thing. In our extended family we have experienced the struggles and incredible joy of adoption. Brian’s brother and sister-in-law for years waited, and waited, and waited until one day they were able to call a beautiful 18 month old little girl their own. She is a “Scrivens” through and through and family gatherings are a delight thanks to this lively, joyful, preschooler!
But get this: In God’s family we are all adopted.
The Bible tells us that by receiving Jesus into our lives and believing in His name we gain the right to become God’s children. You and I are adopted into the family of God.
John 1:10-13 says of Jesus,
“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.” (NIV)
Paul writes in Romans 8:14-17
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children.
How amazing it is that in God’s eyes you and I are God’s very own. We are united together as one family, a family that is connected through His Son, Jesus Christ!
But moreover we can claim with great pride, “Ya, I was chosen!”
This Sunday we are going to continue our Advent series entitled The Gifts of
Christmas and we are going to focus on the incredible gift of adoption. Please plan to be there.
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This Sunday, in honour of the 2nd Sunday of Advent you will have two opportunities to win a wonderful advent gift!
Just be the first and second to yell out the secret phrase: I was Chosen!
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Let’s together worship, and celebrate with JOY the arrival of Jesus. See you Sunday!!