Lost and Found

“He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will…” (Ephesians 1:5)

Several years ago we watched the TV series “Long Lost Family” – if you haven’t seen it, each week they take the stories of 2-3 people who were adopted and their journey working with genealogists to find their birth parent(s) and the ups and downs of seeing how they find each other and learning the story behind why the parent gave the child up for adoption, the efforts one or both made over the years to try to find the other and each of them sharing the impact of knowing over the years there is someone out there that is family they don’t know.

The show ends with them being reunited and it’s amazing to watch the emotional journey everyone goes through. When they meet each other so see so many emotions: Relief, release, forgiveness, joy – but what is surprising is how QUICK a connection is made to someone they haven’t seen usually for 30, 40 or 50 years! In an instant they KNOW they are family and they belong together. Sometimes they also have follow-ups where you can see the effects of being separated for so long. While they love each other their journey apart for the past several years creates issues they have to work through. But you can see they love each other and are so grateful for the restoration of the relationship and connection of family.

This is such a correlation with our journey is the Family of God. When we come into our saving relationship with God through Christ we instantly KNOW that we belong to Him, and were created to be a part of His family.

Then comes the day to day walking out of the relationship, which can be hard. Not because of Him, but because of the sin and habits in US that have ingrained themselves over the years. But we know how much He loves and cares for us, and we understand the depth of sacrifice that was made for us.

He does not just desire that we be dutiful members in the body of Christ, but to step into our position as sons and daughters of the King.

We are each his Long Lost Family.

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. …” (Romans 8:14-19)

“To redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” (Galatians 4:5-7)