Our Forever Family
By Jen Wollner
“…God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons….So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”
By Jen Wollner
“…God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons….So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”
Galatians 4:4-5, 7 (NIV)
Many years ago, before my husband and I were
even married, we talked about our desire to have children one day. Like many
couples, we wanted to try to have biological children, but God had also put
another dream in our hearts…adoption. It was something we both felt strongly
drawn to and a few years ago, God made that longing a reality when He
orchestrated the adoptions of two of our children from Guatemala.
As we went through the process of adopting our
son and daughter, there was one particular piece of paperwork that we found
very interesting. It was a notarized document we both signed saying that our
adopted children would be full heirs of ours, treated no differently than our
biological son. By signing this form, we were promising that they would carry
our surname… and, along with it, they would enjoy all the benefits of being
part of our family, including being equal beneficiaries to our assets, both
while we were living and in the event of our deaths. They would no longer be
orphans, but the son and daughter of Benjamin and Jennifer
Wollner…and nothing could ever change their status or inheritance. We
would be a family, forever!
Just as my husband and I adopted our children,
so God adopts us, paying the price of our adoption through His Son, Jesus. We
become children of Almighty God—Creator of the universe—by accepting Jesus as
our Savior. Our status changes from “orphan” to “daughter of the Most High”!
Nothing can take away the security we have in that position. Scripture says
that when we believe, we are “…marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy
Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance…” (Ephesians 1:13b-14a).
In other words, when we believe in Jesus for our salvation, the adoption papers
are signed and stamped official with the delivery of the Holy Spirit into our
hearts. Then, we are full heirs to His Kingdom and all its riches and blessings
are ours, both here on earth and throughout eternity in Heaven. Oh, what joy we
find in our forever family!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Your adoption into God’s family has already
been paid for…have you accepted His invitation to become His daughter? If not,
what’s keeping you from doing so and receiving the incredible inheritance that
is waiting for you?
2. If you are already a daughter of the King
of Kings, take a moment to appreciate the gift of your identity through faith
in Christ.
FURTHER READING:
Jen and her husband are busily parenting three
elementary aged children. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope,
Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.
