A Portrait of God's Love

Before Tiffany and I moved to Arizona, we visited her family for Christmas. During the visit, we met Joel and Nancy. They were in the process of adopting. Their desire was to adopt siblings. Fast-forward to February 2008, early this morning (early our time), Joel and Nancy stood before a judge to adopt two children from Russia. The details of their story can be found here.

Throughout the process, Tiffany and I have had the privelege of being with Joel and Nancy in a Life group and at church. We are amazed to see what God has done in this process. The most wonderful thing about the entire adoption process is the portrait and picture that it depicts for us.

The adoption process is a portrait of God's love for each one of us. Because of God's love for us, He sent His only Son to die for us. Why did he need to send His Son for us? Because we are sinners. All of us are sinners. We have all broken God's laws and turned our backs on Him. As a result of that sin, we are eternally separated from God. The sacrifice for sin is blood. Unfortunately, our own blood is tainted by Sin. Enter Christ. God sent is Son to the earth to live a perfect life and die as our sacrifice. Here is where the adoption process comes into the picture. By receiving Christ as our Saviour, we are brought into the family of God. Once and for all, we become children of God. Christ, among His many other titles, becomes our brother. God the Father becomes our Father. What did we do to deserve it? NOTHING.

Joel and Nancy have chosen to sacrifice their comfort and lives to bring TWO children from Russia. They have been given new names, new clothes, fresh food, warmth and LOVE. What do the children pay for this? NOTHING. Joel and Nancy had to plead a case while the two children were playing with toys. The children are now going to be part of a new family. With time, they will hopefully become part of the larger family of God too.

Wow... Thank you Lord for choosing to send your Son for ME! Thank you for making me a part of your family!