“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
Today is a very special day. 50 years ago today my twin sisters were born. Happy Birthday, Jan and Nan!
As most of you know Jan and Nan were adopted. After having 3 boys my parents realized they were doing something wrong, so they decided to adopt the girls. It was the best decision they ever made.
From the moment they came into our home Jan and Nan have brought love, joy and laughter to all of our lives. I can’t imagine what our home would’ve been like without them, but I know it would not have been nearly as much fun.
What many of you don’t realize is I am adopted too. So are my brother Larry and my other sisters Joanne, Joan, and Donna. No, we were not adopted into the Edison family. We were adopted into God’s family.
Ephesians 1:4-5 says, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 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.”
You and I and every person in this world are children of God. Even before He created the world, God decided to adopt you into His own family. He’s been thinking about you from before time began. You are His special child, the apple of His eye. You give “him great pleasure.”
Now Jan and Nan haven’t always done what Mom and Dad wanted them to do. Okay, I admit, neither have the rest of us. But, the thing is, no matter what we did, no matter how badly we hurt them; we never for a second doubted our parent’s love for us. We knew if we would just come back and say “I’m sorry” we’d be forgiven. We never stopped being their children, even when we messed up.
It’s the same for you. No matter what you’ve done, no matter how far you’ve strayed from the family of God, you are still a son or daughter of God. He still declares, “I have loved you…with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.” Jeremiah 31:3
In fact, God loves you so much “He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. If you will just come back to Him today and tell Him you’re sorry, He will forgive you and welcome you home with open arms.
Our family is scattered across the United States, but whenever we are able to get back together the air is filled with joy and laughter. We’re just so happy to be together again.
However, the joy we feel at those times pales in comparison to the joy God will feel when you come home to Him. What’s holding you back? You don’t need to stand out in the cold any longer. You’re still part of the family. You still have a seat at the table.
Just come home.