“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”
When I think of being a child of God, I think of a small toddler who did the very best to create a masterpiece of fingerpaint and colors. The child brings the artwork to their parent looking for their approval. The parent generously gives praise and encouragement to the child and proudly pins the paper to the refrigerator to be on display. The child feels loved, seen, and cared for.
By any other person’s evaluation, the toddler’s artwork was not much to look at. It was messy and smudged, with crumbs from an earlier snack stuck in the paint. Yet the parent looks at the work like it could be the most beautiful painting in an art gallery. The parent sees the effort that the child made to do something special. The encouragement and praise gives the child the freedom to continue growing and creating without the fear of disappointment, failure, or not being good enough.
We also strive to give God our best masterpiece by using our talents and our energy, and we hope that he is proud of the work that we have done. Just like that parent, God delights in us and takes joy in what we bring to him. Of course our efforts are far from perfect. The gift that God desires from us is more than just our accomplishments, work, or service, it’s all of who we are - our whole lives. We give him our mess and brokenness, and he turns it into something beautiful.
God’s love for us is the unconditional love that a parent has for their child. His love guides us, nurtures us, protects us, and grows us into spiritual maturity. We have been given the gift of adoption into God’s family through Jesus. God chose us as his children and delights in us as his own. You are a CHILD OF GOD.
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.””
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for adopting me as your child. When I try to find my worth and value in other things, remind me that I am yours. Please guide me and protect me through your love.