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Monday, June 28, 2010

Our Adoption

I have been so encouraged by reading John Piper's "Adoption, the Heart of the Gospel". I have decided to post a little at a time. I think it is very challenging and worth the time to REALLY think about. (I think easier in small doses.)

He discusses our adoption by our heavenly Father and its similarities to earthly adoptions. I hope that you take the time to read it and really ponder over your adoption into the kingdom of God!

Eight Similarities

What I would like to do is lay out eight similarities between what God did in adoption and what happens in a Christian adoption today. I pray that whether you have adopted, or are engaged in assisting adoptions, or are pondering an adoption, God will use these comparisons to heighten your confidence that God is graciously involved in our adoptions. He has done it himself. He knows what it costs. And he stands ready to support us all the way to the end.

1. Adoption was (for God) and is (for us) costly.


When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)

To redeem means to obtain or to set free by paying a price. What was the price that God paid for our liberation and adoption? In the previous chapter, we heard the answer: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’” (Galatians 3:13). It cost God the price of his Son’s life.

There are huge costs in adopting children. Some are financial; some are emotional. There are costs in time and stress for the rest of your life. You never stop being a parent till you die. And the stresses of caring about adult children can be as great, or greater, than the stresses of caring for young children. There is something very deep and right about the embrace of this cost for the life of a child!

Few things bring me more satisfaction than seeing a culture of adoption flourish at Bethlehem. It means that our people are looking to their heavenly Father for their joy rather than rejecting the stress and cost of children in order to maximize their freedom and comforts. When people embrace the pain and joy of children rather than using abortion or birth control simply to keep children away, the worth of Christ shines more visibly. Adoption is as far as possible from the mindset that rejects children as an intrusion. Praise God for people ready to embrace the suffering—known and unknown. God’s cost to adopt us was infinitely greater than any cost we will endure in adopting and raising children.

Here I am pondering John Piper's words on adoption sporting my "got love?" gear!!

5 comments:

  1. What a beautiful family you have, Kelly! I love John Piper. Of course you can repost from my blog! :))

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  2. and now for Deep Thoughts with Kelly and her mug and bag...that picture is hilarious!! So, people ahve not stopped buying my jewelry which I was afraid would happend when the $$ was raised so, as long as there is a demand I will keep up a supply soooooo, want to do a giveaway/auction/raffle with a Mama Sheep piece? Let's figure something out!! I smell a "got love?" ring/pendant/something perhaps....

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  3. Kelly, yes, of course you can add me to your blog list!!
    And I got the bag today and love it! I am carrying it to the library tomorrow with my books to return and can't wait to try it out!!

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  4. Did you buy some coffee from us? I think that is your last name I saw ........ thanks!!!

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  5. Love the mug and tote....and the message.

    Have you thought about shirts with the message? I would so buy one. :)

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