No longer an orphan

I am no longer an orphan....let me explain. I grew up with both of my biological parents. So in that sense, I was not orphaned, but spiritually I was. Let me share this with you:http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=ezekiel+16%3A+8-14

This is the state we were all in before God chose, in his grace and mercy to adopt us into his family. We were helpless, as Ezekiel says, and wallowing in our own blood. We could do nothing to help ourselves but then God showed up on the scene and decided to save us! What an incredible thing. I never really understood adoption as the gospel until recently. Now I get that at it's core the gospel is adoption. We were undeserving, but because of grace have the privilege of being in God's family and knowing Christ here on earth and in eternity. Adoption changes everything.

Even though I am spiritually adopted, I forget this from time to time. I know that I am saved, but in my day-to-day activities I sometimes still act like I am an orphan...that I am alone...that I have to depend on myself. I think that self-reliance is one of the main struggles that believers encounter. Our flesh loves to be self-sufficient, self-reliant and self-focused. We don't want help from anyone, especially God. We love the do-it-yourself manual of life. However, our flesh will fail, but God will not. As I grow more in the Lord, I have come to realize that there is nothing good in me but Christ. My flesh is totally corrupt and sinful and that I can't put any hope in myself. I must hope in God for everything, especially my salvation.

As many of you know I am in grad school right now for counseling. Honestly, sometimes I am plagued with the "what ifs" about my future counseling career. I was sitting at work a few weeks ago, starting to get on the "what if" train. What if I don't know what to say? What if I look silly or inimidated? What if I can't do it? As I was pondering these things, the Lord reminded me of Ezekiel 16 and spoke to my heart...you are no longer an orphan.

The Holy Spirit is incredibly timely. I was acting as if I was an orphan...that it was all up to me and my knowledge and skill and resources to help people in the therapeutic process. It is NOT. I can't do it...BUT GOD CAN! Oh what joy this brought to my heart. I will never be alone when I sit with someone to counsel them...God will always be with me strengthening me and upholding me. I can't put any confidence in my own ability but can put FULL, TOTAL, 100% confidence in God's ability. This is such a relief to me...nothing is impossible for God. Of course, this applies in any area of life. I know this verse is very overused, but we can do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength. Amen and Amen.

I challenge you today. Pray about what adoption looks like in your own life and give God the praise and glory that you belonging to Him is all about what he did and nothing we do. If we died today and stood before the Lord, nothing but the blood of Jesus would make us worthy. I also feel that this is why real adoption is so important in real life. What a tangible way to display the gospel not only to the adopted children, but to those all around you. And if you are adopted into God's family...live that way. You now have a glorious inheritance....but most of all a Father to love, obey, and enjoy.